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PRESIDENT BUHARI DECLINES ASSENT TO ELECTORAL BILL 2018, SENATE PASSES CONDITION OF SERVICE FOR NASS STAFF

PRESIDENT BUHARI DECLINES ASSENT TO ELECTORAL BILL 2018, SENATE PASSES CONDITION OF SERVICE FOR NASS STAFF


Once again President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to the Independent National Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment, etc.) Bill, 2018. The President cited reasons why he withheld assent stating that assenting the Bill at this point in time when the forthcoming elections is less than three months will obstruct the conduct of 2019 General Elections. The President informed the Senate of his decision via Executive Communication to the Chamber; which was read on the floor. He promised to look at the legislation after the 2019 General Elections.

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed two Motions that originated from two point of order from Sen. Biodun Olujimi and Sen. Shehu Sani. The Motions were:
Point of Order 42 and 52 by Sen. Biodun Olujimi ( Ekiti South); drew the attention of Senate that the Ondo State House of Assembly was under siege. The State Assembly was invaded by Thugs according to the Senate Minority Leader, thereby inflicting injuries on legislative staff of the Assembly. The Motion scaled through with resolutions below:
a) Security Operatives be allowed to carry out their constitutional duties without hinderance.
b) Senate Committee on Police Affairs is mandated to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and report back in five days.

Point of Order 43 by Sen. Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) informing the Chamber of the demise of a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Muktar Ahmed Aruwa over the weekend in Kaduna. Sen. Aruwa represented Kaduna Central in the Upper Legislative Chamber on the platform of All Peoples Party from 1999 to 2007. The Motion sailed through with two prayers below:
a) Senate condole with the family, people and government of Kaduna State over the death of Sen. Aruwa.
b) A minute silence was observed in honour of the deceased.

Nevertheless, the Red Chamber has considered, approved and passed into law the “Condition of Service for National Assembly Staff”. The passage into law followed the presentation of the Bill’s report by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters led by Sen. Paulker Emmanuel (Bayelsa Central) before the Senate. Thereafter, the Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where all the clauses, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended, afterwards, it was read the third time and passed.

However, the consideration of the Report of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Screening and Confirmation of four Members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was stalled midway citing violation of the principles of Federal Character Commission in the appointment of Members of the Commission because the EFCC Act stipulates only six Membership. 
Sen. Victor Umeh faulted the formation of the current Commission if approved which he said would be lopsided with the North-East having the Chairman and one other representative, South-West has the Secretary and one other representative, the North-Central and North-West have one representative apiece while the South-East and the South-South have no representative in the Commission.
Following this observation, the Senate went into Executive session that lasted for almost 30 minutes and on resumption of plenary, the Chamber deferred the consideration of the Report to another legislative date to allow for further consultations. 

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