The Senate modified its rule on Tuesday to exclude first-time senators from running for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The adjustment to Sections 2(1)(2) and (3) came after a proposal by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele titled “Amendment to the Senate Standing Orders Pursuant to Order 109 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022.”
This amendment comes amid reports that northern members are plotting to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former Zamfara State governor and first-time senator, ran for Senate President but lost to Akpabio, the designated candidate of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The proposal is said to be aimed at notable first-term senators, notably Yari.
However, Bamidele argued in his motion that the Senate Standing Rule was changed to form new committees.
He stated,
“There are a number of issues that require further amendments to provide for the creation of additional committees of the Senate in response to emerging developments that will enhance rules of procedure for sound legislative practice.
“These developments have made it imperative to further amend the Standing Orders of the Senate 2022 (as amended), occasioned by the creation of additional Senate Standing Committees and to have the functions and jurisdictions reflected in the Standing Orders of the Senate.
“The amendments have been circulated to senators in accordance with Order 109 Rule 2 the Senate Standing Orders.”
He pleaded with the Senate to
“restrain first-time lawmakers from contesting for any of the presiding officers; Senate President and Deputy Senate President.”
The legislators then voted unanimously to change their rule to allow the prayers, as proposed by the Senate Leader.
The Senate also revised its rules to allow for the formation of nine new standing committees, bringing the total number of panels to 83.
cc: Punch Ng
