The Upper Legislative Chamber on Thursday, January 18,
2017 resumed the clause by clause consideration of “Independent
National Electoral Commission Act No.6, 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2017
(S.B. 234)”, sponsored by Sen. Abubakar Kyari (Borno North).
Consideration of the two consolidated legislation was deferred to
another legislative date on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.
The
resumed consideration of the Bill was not without disagreement among
Senators because, a particular clause of the Amendment Bill became a
bone of contention. The clause which sought to empower political parties
in the country to determine the mode of conducting indirect elections
for delegate right from the ward level up to the federal level (Internal
Democracy) was voted against in favour of the constitution should
determine the mode of indirect elections of the parties into particular
positions (Delegates).
In fact, the contentious
clause was voted for thrice and the outcome were the negative. Most
Senators were sharply divided by the issue and in view the prevailing
situation, the Chamber opted for an Executive session that lasted almost
an hour. On resumption of plenary session, the Senate President, Bukola
Saraki announced that the Chamber after due consultations has referred
the INEC Amendment Bill 2017 back to the Senate Committee on INEC for
further legislative inputs.
Meanwhile, the
Senate has received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari informing
it of his absence from office from the 23rd January to the 6th February,
2017 (10 working days). During the period, the Vice President, Prof.
Yemi Osinbajo will act as the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The two weeks leave is part of the President’s annual vacation.
Similarly,
the Upper Legislative Chamber has received the request of Mr. President
forwarding the name of Mr. Umaru Ibrahim for screening and confirmation
for re-appointment as Managing Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance
Corporation (NDIC) in accordance with Sections 5 (4) and 8 (3) of the
NDIC Act CAP N102 LFN 2004. It has been referred to the Senate Committee
on Banking.
Nonetheless, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North)
raised a Point of Order 43 to alert the Senate of the involvement of
Nigeria’s Military in the Gambian crisis. He described the involvement
as wrong; stating that it was done without prior approval of the
National Assembly.
Similarly, Sen. Nelson
Efiong (Akwa Ibom South) came under Point of Order 43 to announce his
defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All
Progressive Congress (APC). He made the announcement on the floor of the
Chamber and was received by the Senate Majority Leader and other APC
Senators.
Also, the Red Chamber has received two Reports from the following Senate Committees:
• Joint
Committee on Women Affairs, Health and Primary Healthcare and
Communicable Diseases led by Sen. Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North), Sen.
Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central) and Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North)
on the Oversight Visit to Dalori IDPs Camp in Borno State.
• Conference
Committee Report on “Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill,
2017 (S.B. 173 & 183), sponsored by Sen. Bayero Usman Nafada (Gombe
North).
Both Reports have been laid before the Senate for further legislative works.
0 comments: