Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:51am.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate moved into an Executive Session at 10:55am and resumed from its Executive Session at 11:53am.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki reported that at the Executive Session the Senate deliberated on the issues bordering workings of the Nigerian Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 18th October 2018. Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded.
POINT OF ORDER.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa cited Order 42 and raised an issue of two important communities in his constituency whose roads were destroyed due to erosion in those areas.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Sarai referred it to another legislative day.
Senator Rose Oko cited Orders 42 & 52 and brought the attention of the Senate to the appointment of the Federal Civil Service Commissioner for Akwa Ibom for Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
“It is tradition that Federal Civil Service Commissioners are allowed to spend two terms in office.” – Senator Ali Ndume.
“Let’s try and confirm if Civil Service Commissioners are allowed to truly spend two terms in office.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“This particular position is unlike others because it is shared between two or three states.”- Senator Rose Oko.
“We should wait till tomorrow for proper deliberation since the report will be out by tomorrow.” -Senator Andrew Uchendu
“When Senator Emmanuel Paulker presents his report tomorrow, we will deliberate on this issue.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
PRESENTATION OF A BILL- First Reading
Federal Polytechnic Abuja (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 703) by Senator Philip Aduda.
Federal Polytechnic Abuja (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 703) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Screening of Nominees for confirmation as Chairman and members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Screening of Nominees for confirmation as Chairman and members of the ICPC
The report was LAID.
2. Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the appointment of Chairman and Commissioners for the Federal Civil Service Commission by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
Senator Abu Kyari seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the appointment of Chairman and Commissioners for the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The report was LAID.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Confirmation of the nomination of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila for appointment as Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission in accordance with the provision of Section 8(1)(a) of the National Lottery Act, 2005 by Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
Senator Philip Aduda seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President on the confirmation of the nomination of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila for appointment as Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred it to the Committee on Sports and Social Development to report back in two weeks.
MOTION
Urgent need to appoint a representative of the South-East into the National Defence Council and the National Security Council by Senator Victor Umeh.
“There is a very key Constitutional provision which buttresses this motion. Sec 5. 1 a and b. I urge my colleagues to support this motion.” – Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“I have no objection to this, we are talking about the constitution, let us not forget section 219, 217 and 218. The President has been given such powers to appoint. Let us not look at the security of our nation on a platter of political parties.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“I think this motion is not a motion that we will be able to reach a consensus on. With all due respect, this is because of different interpretations of the constitution.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
”You have raised a point and I’d like to rule that what you’ve raised is noted and it is the best way for us to guide ourselves on this matter.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
A BILL FOR CONCURRENCE
The School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105) by Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
Senator Emmanuel Paulker seconded that the School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105) is read the Second Time
The School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105) was read the Second Time.
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105)
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105)
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
The School of Mines and Geological Studies (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 105) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT.
1. Report of the Committee on INEC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 699) by Senator Suleiman Nazif.
Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on INEC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 699)
“What APC and PDP are both interested in are transparent elections and so I want appreciate and commend the Committee.” -Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
“Let me also join Senator Bwacha in commending members of the Committee here in the Senate and the House of Representatives in tirelessly trying to get us to where we are now, so with this I’ll ask the Senate Leader to move that we dissolve into the Committee of the Whole.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the report of the Committee on INEC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 699)
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 699) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
“Let me congratulate everyone in the committee on electoral matters for the hard work they put in, and we have been able to achieve this over time and after careful reviewing. I want to commend everybody’s effort in making this happen”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“This will go on a long way in improving our electoral process and further strengthen our governance and I’m sure with this, Mr president will of course give his assent and we can now finally have an electoral process we all will be proud of.”-Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“I thank you all for all your effort and also our colleagues in the House of Representatives.” -Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced that there will be a caucus meeting of PDP Senators in the Minority Leader’s office.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 24th October, 2018.
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
