PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY 4TH JULY, 2017

It's a new Legislative day in the Senate of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President
Bukola Saraki took the official prayer and led the
chamber into today's proceedings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate now moved into an Executive Session.

Senate resumed from its Executive Session and
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu Reported
Progress that at the executive session Senate
deliberated on issues bothering on the workings of
the Senate and the National Assembly in general.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu moved for the approval of
Votes and Proceedings of Thursday 15th June,
2017.

Senator Stella Oduah seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from
Acting President Professor Osinbajo on the request
of confirmation of appointment of Mr. Lanre
Gbajabiamila as Director General of National
Lottery Commission.

Senator Sani Ahmed cited order 14 as regards the
letter of confirmation from Acting President
Professor Osinbajo, stating he earlier said the
Senate doesn't have the power to confirm.

He
wants the issue to be clarified by the Senate.
Senator George Sekibo said the Senate should
suspend the request till the issue of power of
confirmation is cleared.
Senator Isah Misua said that there is too much
focus on the Senate while there is more corruption
in the Executive.

Senator Adeyeye stated that every public servant is
to obey the Law of the Country, no one is given an
exception to dance around the law. He further
stated that we must choose strong institutions
over strong leaders.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu
emphasizes that the law must be obeyed.
Senator Dino Melaye read the Prayers:

I) The Senate should suspend all issues relating to
the confirmation of nominees from the executive
on issue of confirmation as contained in
constitution until the laws of the Federation is
adhered to.

II) Acting President must respect the constitution
and laws enacted by the National Assembly as
relating to the confirmation of nominees.

III) The Acting President should respect the
rejection of nominees by the Senate.
Senator Marafa Kabir added an additional prayer
stating that the Acting President must withdraw his
statement saying the Senate doesn't have the
power to confirm nominees.

Senator Bassey Akpan seconded the additional
prayer that the Acting President must withdraw his
statement saying the Senate doesn't have the
power to confirm nominees.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the matter
needs to be addressed and put behind us.

The
Acting President must respect the constitution and
laws enacted by National Assembly, said as a
society we can't pass laws and the the laws are
not obeyed, we must respect our democracy.

He
stated that it is not for us to choose the laws to
obey and those not to obey.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomed staff and
students who were present in the gallery to
observe Plenary.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Dino Melaye cited order 14 and said the
process of his recall was masterminded by the
Kogi State Government and the Senate should act
accordingly.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the
recall process is dead on arrival going by the
constitution.

It's a long process,after the
verification of votes the Senate would also verify
the Legitimacy of the votes before a conclusion is
made.

He stated that the recall process of Senator
Dino Melaye by the Kogi State Government is an
exercise in futility, there are provisions and
procedures to be followed on how recall process is
carried out.

Deputy Senate President Ike
Ekweremadu listed a number of procedures
involved. He stated that Section 69 of the
constitution is the reason Senator Dino Melaye
cannot be recalled. An amendment to that section
was done in 2010.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said by
the amendment the list of signatories collected will
come out and line up in Kogi state for verification.

Senator Kwankwaso cited order 42 and announced
the demise of Alhaji Yusuf Maitama. He sought the
approval of the Senate to bring the motion another
Legislative day.

Senator Sekibo cited order 42 and stated that Aba-
PortHarcourt Road that leads to the refinery in a
bad condition and sought the approval of the
Senate to bring the motion on another Legislative
day.

Senator Rose Oko cited order 42 on the recent
communal clash in her constituency and sought
the approval of the Senate to bring the motion on
another Legislative day.

Senator Yusuf Abubakar cited order 42 on crises
that erupted in his Local Government Area of
Taraba central and sought the approval of the
Senate to bring the motion on another Legislative
day.

Senate President Bukola Saraki stated that all
Orders cited will be treated on another Legislative
day.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order
Paper be stood down to another Legislative day.

Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 5th July,
2017.
Gavel Bangs.