Contrary to reports in some sections of the media, purporting that the recent adjustments in the Senate Rules as passed on Tuesday have been upturned on the order of the Presidency, the Senate has described the said media report, as untrue and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
In an exclusive interview after plenary with the Chaiman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human rights and Legal Matters, Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN, he said, ” one of the Orders that was considered was about whether you should take your oath of alliance and membership before elections. The proposal that was passed among others on Tuesday was that you be sworn in before you can vote. It was just procedural change.
” In the past, you don’t have to be sworn in before you vote for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President and now they said be swon in first, before election. Members were of the opinion that the constitution says YOU MAY, so that there won’t be any controversy thereafter, we decided to revert to the old Order
” The issue of eligibility stays and it is different from what we rescinded. We rescinded the order of oath taking and eligibility to contest elction. This is for clarity”.
The revert to the old procedure was contained in the Senate Order Paper of Thursday captioned: Recession and Recommital of Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) argued that the change in procedure of the Senate may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,particularly Section 52 thereof.
The Senate, it was gathered, noted that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions established parliamentary conventions and Legislative Practice.
Jackson Udom
Special Assistant To President Of The Senate On Media.
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