Upon resumption from its Executive Session, Senate President Bukola Saraki reports that the Senate in its close door session deliberated on issues concerning the smooth running of the National Assembly and the Senate in particular.
Senator Rafiu Ibrahim moves for the approval of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday 1st November 2016 and Senator Ahmed Ogembe seconds.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President Bukola Saraki announces the composition of various committees for the harmonization of bills for concurrence.
PETITION
Senator Dino Melaye presents a petition from his Constituent over unlawful dismissal from the services of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Senator Gershom Bassey as well presents a petition from his Constituent. Senator Chukwuka Utazi also presents a petition from his constituent over unlawful dismissal from the Nigeria Army.
All the Petitions are laid and referred to Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for further legislative action.
POINT OF ORDER
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu called the attention of the Senate to pending elections and failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to act accordingly. He speaks particularly of the vacant seats of the three Senators from Rivers State.
Senate Leader Ali Ndume says "It could be any of us as in the case of River State, imagine a state like mine ravaged by insurgency without a representation. We have a new leadership in INEC and yet the cases recorded have been inconclusive elections and sometimes confusion". "Today we are taking Petroleum Industry Bill #PIB deliberations without any Senator from River State" adds Senator Ndume.
In support of the Point of Order, Senator Matthew Urhoghide says "We should take note of the place of democracy in what we do. There is no other way we can input inhuman treatment than what INEC is doing in Rivers State". Chairman of the Senate INEC Committee, Senator Abubakar Kyari however inform his colleagues that the latest information that he has from INEC is that elections in Rivers State will hold on the 10th of December, 2016.
Senate President Saraki puts the question to the prayer of the motion and Senate resolves to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to vacant senatorial seats in Rivers State not later than the 10th of December, 2016 or Senate Plenary will be suspended. In an additional prayer, Senator Dino Melaye called on the Federal Government to appoint a replacement for the late Minister from Kogi State, Barrister James Ocholi. The Prayer is also adopted.
Senate President Bukola Saraki appreciates Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu and Senate Leader Ndume for the Point of Order. He says "This is a very important motion targeted to improve our democracy; we will go with the information from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC. We all saw the new INEC Chairman during his screening, this a very challenging time for him and his commission to prove themselves. The Senate INEC Committee Chairman too has given us his words and we will hold him accountable to it”.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT
Senate moves to consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC on the INEC Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 (SB 231 & SB. 234) by Senator Abubakar Kyari. Senator Kyari presents the details of the report on the amendment to the Independent National Electoral Commission #INECBill Act and concludes by thanking his colleagues for the opportunity to serve urging them to support the #INECBill Amendment.
Senate now dissolves into the Committee of the Whole for the Third Reading and Clause – by – Clause consideration of the #INECBill Amendment.
Senate deliberations on the #INECBill continues with different opinion ensuing particularly on the aspect of who takes over if a death of a gubernatorial candidate occurs; the running mate or a fresh candidate as it happened recently in Kogi State. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe says that the running mate should take over or else this will further compound the system by creating a gap. Senator Danjuma Goje however says the party should be allowed to appoint someone of their choice putting the zoning principle into consideration. Sen. Sam Anyanwu, on his own part used an instance of impeachment where the Deputy takes over and questions the difference in the scenarios.
Senator Jibrin Barau raises the question of what happens when and/or if it is only one candidate that goes for a Primary Election leading to the choice of the Candidate asking “Should a fresh election be conducted?” Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah paints the picture of a contestant and his running mate who are from the same zone and queries how that will be reconciled. Sen. Barnabas Gemade reminds his colleagues that "the lacuna is for someone who dies before the election if the party will appoint the running mate or not”.
Senate President Bukola Saraki caps the debate saying "This is a very complex issue as we can see, there is the question of what happens when a candidate is unopposed at the Primaries. The Committee will go back, do more work and re - present the #INECBill Amendment to the Senate for third reading.
Senate now reverts to plenary to report progress on the #INECBill Amendment. The consideration of the Independent National Electoral Commision #INECBill Amendment is suspended to another legislative day for further legislative work by the Senate Committee on INEC.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
Senate now moves to consideration of bills for second reading.
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Governance and Institutional Framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other related matters #PIB 2016 (SB. 237) by Senator Tayo Alasoadura of Ondo Central Senatorial District.
Senator Tayo Alasoadura leads the debate on the long awaited Bill for an Act to provide for the Governance and Institutional Framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other related matters #PIB 2016
Senators Barnabas Gemade, Jibrin Barau and James Manager all speak in support of the Bill. Senator James Manager particularly emphasizes the impact of the #PIB to communities in the Niger Delta who are negatively affected by Petroleum exploration
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki appreciates his colleagues for their non – partisan contribution to the #PIB .He adds "you have shown your commitment to Nigeria, Nigerians & the Economy; We must bring the other parts of #PIB that seeks to address other issues such as community issues before the final draft of this part. We have to ensure that what the bill seeks to achieve amongst others, to restore peace and sanity in oil producing states is achieved".
STATUS OF BILL
Senate President Bukola Saraki puts the question and the Bill for an Act to provide for the Governance and Institutional Framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other related matters #PIB 2016 passed second reading. The Bill is referred to the Senate Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Petroleum Downstream and Gas for further legislative action.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moves that other matters in the order paper be stepped down to another legislative day and Minority Leader seconds. Senate Leader also moves that plenary be adjourned to the next legislative day. Minority Leader as well seconds.
Senate President Bukola Saraki puts the question and plenary is adjourned to Thursday 3rd November 2016.
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