As Legislators reconvene in the plenary on Tuesday, Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, says one of the major issues in the agenda before the Senate is to aggregate opinions of senators on consultations with their constituents over the controversial Electoral Act.
Senator Yahaya, who was fielding questions from journalists in Abuja also said that the resumption of the legislative duties will enable the Senate to interact with the House of Representatives on the way forward over the electoral bill.
It would be recalled that prior to the time senate went on Chrismas and New Year recess, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said that the Senate would consult with the House of Representatives on how to respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to withhold assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed by the National Assembly.
According to the Senate President, the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not permit the senate to exclusively take any action on such matters in the absence of the House of Representatives, since they had embarked on recess days before the Senate.
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader said that whatever position that would be taken on the controversial electoral bill would be in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi also stressed that he cannot predict what the final decision of lawmakers will be on the electoral bill.
“Senators have consulted with their constituents and the outcome of their discussions will be reflected during debate on the floor of the senate.“
The Senate Leader also disclosed that constitution amendment would be given priority and other items on the agenda set at the beginning of the 9th senate would be addressed and completed.
He thereafter commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the declaration of bandits as terrorists, noting that; “The Senate is vindicated as the level of insecurity in the country is becoming unbearable.”
PIAK
