The Senate yesterday resolved to write letters to the Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) on the commencement of their legislative activities.
After Senate President Godswill Akpabio took the opening prayers, the Senate went for a closed-door session that lasted for over three hours.
The lawmakers later resolved to write President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the IPU that it has resumed legislative activities for the 10th session with Godswill Akpabio as Senate President.
Other organisations the Senate is writing to are: African Union (AU); Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA); Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); ECOWAS Parliament; Pan African Parliament and Association of Senate, Shoora and Equivalent Council in Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA).
Haven congratulated the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate also set up a 15-member Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East).
The committee, which is to make arrangements for the Senate offices, seating arrangements and other logistics, followed a motion moved by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North), which were considered and adopted by the red chambers.
The committee includes: Senator Isah Jibrin (Chairman), Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Vice Chairman), Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central), Senator Dandutse Mohammed, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Senator Shuaibu Agolabi Salisu, Senator Aminu Iya Abass, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Idiat Adebule Oluranti, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Dave Umahi, Senator Barinnada Degi-Ereminyo and Senator Bomoi Ibrahim Mohammed.
Also, the House of Representatives has asked the clerk of the National Assembly to notify the President, Tinubu and the Senate that the 10th session of the Lower House has convened and Tajudeen Abbas is elected speaker.
Abbas, who made this request in an announcement at the plenary on Wednesday, also asked the Clerk to inform the President and Senate that Benjamin Kalu has been elected Deputy Speaker of the House.
He further urged the clerk to advise the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) to inform the President that the House had assembled, quorum formed and is ready to receive any message he may wish to transmit.
The announcement reads: “That a message be conveyed to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria informing that Body, that the House had assembled on Tuesday 13 June, 2023 with quorum formed, and that Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, representing Zaria, Federal Constituency of Kaduna State was elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“That a message be conveyed to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria informing that Body, that the House had assembled on Tuesday 13 June, 2023 with quorum formed, and that Hon Kalu Benjamin Okezie representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“That the Clerk to the National Assembly do notify the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that the House had assembled on Tuesday, 13th June, 2023 with quorum formed, and that Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, representing Zaira Federal Constituency of Kaduna State was elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“That the Clerk to the National Assembly do notify the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the House had assembled on Tuesday 13 June, 2023 with quorum formed and that Hon. Kalu Benjamin Okezie representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
“That the Clerk to the National Assembly do advise the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to inform the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the House had assembled, Quorum formed and is ready to receive any message he may wish to transmit.”