The Senate, on Tuesday, amended its rule to restrict first-time senators from vying for the position of the Senate President and Deputy Senate president.
The amendment of 3 Section 2 and Sub-section 1,2 and 3 followed a motion moved by the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, titled, “Amendment of the Standing Orders of the Senate pursuant to Order 109 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022.”
In the contest leading to the emergence of Akpabio as the Senate President, former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, a first-time senator, threw in his weight to vie for the position.
The Senate rule book states that nomination for presiding officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators.
It states, “In determining the ranking, the following Order shall apply: (i) senators returning based on the number of times re-elected; (ii) senators who had been members of the House of Representatives and (iii) Senators elected as senators for the first time.”
However, Bamidele in his motion stated that the Senate Standing Rule was amended on Saturday, August 5, 2023, to create new Committees and other sundry Amendments.
He said, “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 Senal 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.”
Senator Bamidele further urged the Senate to “restrain first-time lawmakers from contesting for any of the presiding officers; Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The lawmakers then unanimously agreed to amend their rule to accommodate the prayers as moved by the Senate leader.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu sent the names of three additional ministerial nominees to the Senate, on Tuesday, for approval.
The nominees are Dr Jamila Bio, Balarebe Abbas, and Ayodele Olawale Olawande.
Tinubu had in September nominated Ibrahim to serve as the Minister of Youth, pending her confirmation by the Senate.
He also appointed Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement.
The statement described Ibrahim as a “young medical doctor” who most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum, PYWF.
“She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,” it said.
Ngelale said, “The President has further approved the nomination of Mr. Ayodele Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth, pending his confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives Congress, APC.
“He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.
“President Tinubu charges the above-mentioned nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Nigeria as they discharge their duties,” he added.
Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday.
“In compliance with the provisions of section 147, sub-section 2 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999 as amended.
“I am pleased to forward to the Senate three nominees for confirmation.
“Dr Jamila Biu Ibrahim, Balarabe Abass Lawal, and Ayodele Olawale for confirmation as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept the Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the usual assurances of my highest regards,” the President’s letter read.
Akpabio, after reading the letter said the request would be referred to the Committee of the Whole for an expeditious action at the next legislative date.
