Senate gets 12-man committee on allocation of seats, offices

          

The Senate yesterday resolved to write President Muhammadu Buhari that a quorum of the Senate had been assembled and that presiding officers of the ninth National Assembly of the Senate had been elected.

The Upper Chamber listed Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (Yobe North) as elected President of the Senate and Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) as elected Deputy President of the Senate.

It resolved to congratulate the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase, for their election and to inform them that the Senate had elected its presiding officers.

The Upper Chamber further resolved to send a message to the African Union (AU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and ECOWAS Parliament to inform them that a quorum of the Senate of the ninth Assembly had been assembled and ready to receive any communication.

Other international parliamentary bodies to be communicated include Pan-African Parliament and Association of Senate, Shoora and Equivalent Council in Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA).

It also resolved to advise the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) that a quorum of the Senate had assembled and is ready to receive any communication from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo questioned the reference to the office of the SGF.

The Bayelsa State senator wondered why the SGF should be communicated when President Buhari had not named a substantive SGF.

He added that since the office of the SGF had been dissolved and no new SGF appointed, the Senate should not advise a non-existent SGF.

Lawan said the point of order was noted but added that the Senate was dealing with the office of SGF and not the person of SGF.

After about 45 minutes closed session, the Senate President announced the composition of a 12-member ad hoc committee on allocation of seats and office space to senators.

He said the committee would work with the management of the National Assembly on allocation of seats and offices to senators.

The committee was given two weeks to present its report.
The 12-member committee has Abubakar Kyari as its Chairman.

Other members are: Aisha Ahmed Modibo, Gabriel Suswam, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Betty Apiafi, Akpan Bassey, Barau Jibrin, Ibrahim Gobir, Nicholas Tofowomo, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, Chukwuka Utazi and Stella Oduah.
The Upper Chamber adjourned plenary till July 2.