Senate Reverses New Rule On Swearing-In Of Senators-elect

The Senate has rescinded a controversial clause in its amended standing orders requiring senators-elect in the next Assembly to take their oath of office before participating in the election of presiding officers.

The motion for rescission and recommittal was sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) on Thursday.

The Senate said the provision introduced under Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the amended standing orders could create “constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions” with Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.

The upper legislative chamber said the decision became necessary to ensure that its standing orders remain consistent with constitutional provisions, parliamentary conventions and legislative practice.

The rescinded provision was part of the amendments introduced to regulate the first sitting of a new Senate and the participation of senators-elect in Senate proceedings at the beginning of a fresh session.

Under the amended Order 2(2), the Clerk to the National Assembly was required to administer the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership to Senators-elect after roll call and confirmation of writs of election.

Order 3(1) further provided that a Senator-elect “shall not participate in any proceedings of the Senate, including voting for the election of the President and Deputy President of the Senate, unless and until he has taken the Oaths.”

The amendments effectively made oath-taking a mandatory condition before Senators-elect could participate in the election of presiding officers.

With the reversal, the Senate has returned to the previous parliamentary procedure, where all Senators-elect can elect presiding officers before taking their oath of office.