Welcome to 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 the day’s proceedings.
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege moved for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday 29th March, 2017. Senator John Enoh seconded.
*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*
1. Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari for the Confirmation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board Nominees for Replacement of those rejected. The New Nominees includes Lucky Omirisan, Honourable Chuka and Nwogu N.Nwogu from Ondo, Imo and Abia States respectively.
*ANNOUNCEMENTS*
1. Senate President Bukola Saraki announces that all Committees with outstanding reports on the #2017Budget to the Appropriation committees have been advised to submit their reports.
*PRESENTATION OF BILLS -FIRST READING*
1. Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria (Est,. Etc.) Bill 2017 (SB. 326) by Senator Danjuma La’ah.
2. National Consumer Credit Regulatory Commission Bill 2017 (SB. 456) by Senator Biodun Olujimi.
3. Banks and other Financial Institutions Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 457) by Senator Umaru Kurfi.
*PRESENTATION OF REPORT*
1. The Conference Committee Report on the Agricultural Credit and Guarantee Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB.17) is laid Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
*CONSIDERATION OF REPORT*
1. The Report of the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on the INEC Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 231 and SB. 234) by Senator Abubakar Kyari.
-Adjourned Consideration from Thursday, 23rd March,2017
*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate dissolved to the Committee of the Whole to consider the report of the INEC on the INEC Bill Amendment and Senators took turn to contribute to the INEC Act (Amendment) Bill.
One of the amendment raised is whether to allow a party replace a candidate with the 1st runner-up or conduct a fresh election. #INECBill
The current law does not allow a party present new Candidate if the election is nullified for any reason.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu suggested that if a candidate dies or is disqualified after an election, and the runner-up doesn’t have the required 25% vote, a new primary should be conducted for the fresh elections.
Senate President Bukola Saraki explained Clause 22, and Senators voted to delete the amendment and maintain the status quo. He stated “In case of death, the party should hold a fresh primary to determine a new candidate”. The case of the recent Kogi State Governorship Election was cited.
Senator Omo-Agege asked if the party can still conduct a fresh election, if the candidate is nullified by a court.
Senate President Bukola Saraki responded and said a new primary will be conducted whether the candidate is nullified, withdrew or died.
Senate now reverted to Plenary and reported progress.
*CONSIDERATION OF BILL -THIRD READING AND PASSAGE*
The #INECBill was read and passed for third reading.
Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked his distinguished colleagues for a job well done especially the Committee on INEC. He said “What we have done on the bill will strengthen our democracy, touch new areas that will improve our credibility”. He went further to say “this will also improve the areas of technology, smart card issue and timely collation of results”.
Senate President Bukola Saraki added that “this is a great work which we have been able to put up today, I hope the House of Representatives will act on this and send to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent”.
*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE -SECOND READING*
1. Nigerians in Diaspora (Establishment) Commission Bill 2017 (HB.160) by Senate Leader.
2. Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (Establishment. Etc.) Bill 2017 (HB. 18) by Senate Leader.
3. Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria Bill 2017 (HB. 77) by Senate Leader.
4. Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Bill 2017 (HB. 108) by Senate Leader.
5. Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria Bill 2017 (HB. 28) by Senate Leader
6. Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria Bill 2017 (HB. 78) by Senate Leader
7. Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment., Etc.) Bill 2017 (HB. 161) by Senate Leader
8. Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria Bill 2017 (HB. 85) by Senate Leader
Senate passes the Bills which emanated from the House of Representatives for second reading.
*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate dissolved to the Committee of the whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Bills.
Senate reverted to Plenary and reported progress on the consideration of 8 Bills for Concurrence.
The 8 Bills which passed for 2nd Reading were read the third time, concurred with and passed.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Nigerians in Diaspora Bill will excite Nigerians in various countries as evident in the recent trip of the Nigerian Senate to Germany. Senator Saraki thanked his colleagues for the Bills for Concurrence from House of Representatives and said the Bill will go a long way in human capital development and the economy.
*ADJOURNMENT*
Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan moved that other items on the Order Paper be stepped down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday 4th April, 2017.
