The Senate Wednesday fell short of the expectations of many Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the electoral process when it could not carry out its avowed readiness to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021.
Before the resumption of the plenary Wednesday, there was palpable tension in the Senate wing following Tuesday’s threat by the Senators that led to the collation of signatures where 70 Senators had shown their determination to override President Buhari’s veto power.
The Senate had on Tuesday in one day, dissolved into a closed-door session twice to deliberate on the letter of President Muhammadu Buhari and take a position on the withholding of assent to the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment bill.
The move to break into an Executive session at 1.57 pm which lasted for forty-five minutes was sequel to a point of order raised by Senator George Sekibo, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers East which, therefore, heightened the tension
Senator Sekibo who came under Order 14 and 15 said that the closed-door session became imperative because the Senate after Wednesday’s session would commence the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Earlier, there were strong indications that the Senators would override President Buhari’s veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as the machines at the hallowed Chamber were tested to ascertain whether or not they were working and the board showed clearly that the machines were in good shape.
Soon after the Senate resumed plenary Wednesday, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, at 10.36 called for an executive session.
Senators dissolved into a closed door session to deliberate on the letter of President Muhammadu Buhari and take a position on the withholding of assent to the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment bill.
Rising from a closed-door session, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan disclosed that at the meeting, the Senators who agreed to consult with members of the House of Representatives when they resume in January because the lawmakers in the lower chamber have already gone on break to resume plenary in January.
The closed-door meeting which started at 10.36 ended at 11 14 am.
Senator Lawan who disclosed this said that the Senate would consult with the House of Representatives on how to respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, said that the Senate resolved to act on the letter of President Buhari, withholding assent to the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment bill.
Lawan also said as part of ways to respond to the letter of the President, Senators will consult with their constituents who are major stakeholders in the decisions taken at the National Assembly.
According to the President of the Senate, the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) do not permit the upper chamber to exclusively take any action on such matters in the absence of the House of Representatives, since the latter has embarked on recess.
He, however, assured that a joint position would be reached with the House after due consultation with Nigerians to determine the appropriate line of action when both chambers reconvene from the Christmas break in January.
Speaking on what transpired in the closed session, Lawan said, “The Senate in a closed session deliberated on matters relevant to the workings of the Senate in particular and, the National Assembly in general.
“The Senate also in the closed session discussed how to respond to the letter from Mr President on the electoral bill amendment.
“The Senate consequently resolved to consult with the House of Representatives in January when both the Senate and House will be in session.
“Presently, the House of Reps has gone or recess, and like we all know, the constitutional provision is for the Senate and House of Representatives to jointly take the appropriate action.
“The Senate also resolved to consult with our constituents during our recess in January.
“The Senate believes that our constituents have a role to play as the major stakeholders in the laws that we make in the National Assembly.”
Vanguard News
