senate shutdown for one week over PDP congress
Fri May 06, 2016 10:09:am Politics
1.7K By sosa hills
The Senate on Thursday adjourned its plenary for one week sequel to the ongoing congresses of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Red Chamber, after reviewing and passing the votes and proceedings of Wednesdays legislative activities, adjourned to Thursday next week without considering other items on the Order Paper.
The President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had earlier read a letter from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, notifying the Senate leadership that the PDP Senators were participating in the partys congresses which is currently ongoing across the country.
Following the development, immediately the votes and proceedings were approved, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, moved a motion, urging the Senate to stand down all the items on the Order Paper to another legislative day since most of their colleagues from the opposition party were not present in the Chamber
The absence of the PDP lawmakers left the hallowed Chamber very scanty because only the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were in attendance, making it impossible for the Senate to form a quorum.
According to the rules of the Senate, quorum is formed for plenary when one-thirds (at least 37 senators) of the Senate membership are present.
Meanwhile, Saraki has appointed Senator Oluremi Tinubu, (APC, Lagos Central) as Acting Chief Whip of the Senate.
Saraki appointed Tinubu to the position in the absence of Senator Olusola Adeyeye, who is the substantive Chief Whip of the apex chamber. His deputy, Senator Francis Alimikhena was also absent from the session.
However, Tinubu acted as Chief Whip for only 25 minutes since the session lasted for a very short time due to its inability to form a quorum.
That notwithstanding, Tinubus brief appointment has gone into record as the only Acting Chief Whip to hold the position for only 25 minutes.
Thursdays plenary however appears to be the shortest time the Eight Senate had sat since its inauguration on June 9, 2015.
The Red Chamber, after reviewing and passing the votes and proceedings of Wednesdays legislative activities, adjourned to Thursday next week without considering other items on the Order Paper.
The President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had earlier read a letter from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, notifying the Senate leadership that the PDP Senators were participating in the partys congresses which is currently ongoing across the country.
Following the development, immediately the votes and proceedings were approved, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, moved a motion, urging the Senate to stand down all the items on the Order Paper to another legislative day since most of their colleagues from the opposition party were not present in the Chamber
The absence of the PDP lawmakers left the hallowed Chamber very scanty because only the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were in attendance, making it impossible for the Senate to form a quorum.
According to the rules of the Senate, quorum is formed for plenary when one-thirds (at least 37 senators) of the Senate membership are present.
Meanwhile, Saraki has appointed Senator Oluremi Tinubu, (APC, Lagos Central) as Acting Chief Whip of the Senate.
Saraki appointed Tinubu to the position in the absence of Senator Olusola Adeyeye, who is the substantive Chief Whip of the apex chamber. His deputy, Senator Francis Alimikhena was also absent from the session.
However, Tinubu acted as Chief Whip for only 25 minutes since the session lasted for a very short time due to its inability to form a quorum.
That notwithstanding, Tinubus brief appointment has gone into record as the only Acting Chief Whip to hold the position for only 25 minutes.
Thursdays plenary however appears to be the shortest time the Eight Senate had sat since its inauguration on June 9, 2015.
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