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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, representing Imo East Senatorial District, has explained why he strongly opposed the controversial amendment to the Senate Standing Orders, describing the move as “self-serving” and unconstitutional, before the senate eventually rescinded the decision on Thursday.
The Senate had earlier amended Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), restricting eligibility for the offices of Senate President, Deputy Senate President and other principal positions to ranking lawmakers of the current 10th Senate who secure re-election into the 11th Senate in 2027.
Following constitutional concerns raised by lawmakers and legal scrutiny, however, the senate on Thursday rescinded the amendment and reverted to the previous rules.
The motion for rescission and re-committal was moved during plenary by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
Bamidele explained that further legislative and constitutional reviews revealed possible conflicts between the amended provisions and Section 52 of the Nigerian Constitution, making immediate correction necessary.
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He maintained that the senate possesses powers to revisit and rescind previous decisions in order to preserve legislative integrity and parliamentary convention.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, described the move as necessary to ensure conformity with constitutional provisions.
“This is a very straightforward motion; it’s just for us to go in conformity with the constitution,” Barau said.
Reacting to the development, Senator Onyewuchi said his opposition from the outset was based on constitutional principles and the protection of parliamentary democracy.
Speaking with Saturday Sun, the lawmaker insisted that the earlier amendment exceeded the constitutional powers of the senate and attempted to impose conditions not recognised by the 1999 Constitution.
