There was a mild drama, Thursday, as
senators disagreed on the equality status of the Senate and House of
Representatives.
While some senators argued that the
Senate was higher in order of seniority, others contended that both the Senate
and House of Representatives were equal in status.
Those who rated the Senate higher in
status particularly argued that the 1999 Constitution as amended, gave more
powers to the Senate than the House of Representatives, contending further that
senators represent larger constituents than members of the House of
Representatives.
The argument was stoked at plenary,
yesterday, as Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi
South), said the Senate and House of Representatives had similar powers of
legislation, stressing: “There is nothing like the upper and lower chambers in
the constitution.”
Senator Na’Allah spoke through a
point of order 42 of the Senate Standing Rule to condemn a statement credited
to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, that the National Assembly lacked powers to
insert projects in the budget prepared by the executive.
Reacting to the equality status
argument by his colleague, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio
(PDP, Akwa Ibom North-West), said the Senate was superior to the House of
Representatives as recognized by the 1999 Constitution.
But Senate Majority Leader, Senator
Ahmad Lawan, APC, Yobe North, agreed with Ibn Na’ Allah on the equality status
of both chambers, stressing that they were equal and symbolized democracy in
the country. In his reaction, Senate President Bukola Saraki, who ruled Lawan
out of order, said it was a controversial matter, stressing that the point of
order under which the Majority Leader was speaking, was not for such matters.
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