Lawmakers accuse Akpabio of ambushing Senate to hastily pass bills

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The senator representing Nasarawa South, Mohammed Onawo, has criticised the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for allegedly approving legislative bills without following due process.

He accused the Senate president of not ensuring that two-thirds of the senators are present during debates on bills before they are passed.

Mr Onawo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the criticism when he raised a point of order against the amendment of the bill establishing the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) at the plenary on Wednesday.

The amendment seeks to transfer the control and supervision of programmes under the NSIP from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the Presidency.

The bill, presented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, emanated from the executive arm.

Mr Onawo questioned Mr Akpabio for hurriedly approving sensitive bills.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, who also contributed to the point of order, explained that the two-third requirement to pass a bill is based on the number of senators present at the plenary and not the statutory number of senators – 109.

Responding to Mr Onawo’s comment, Mr Akpabio said if any bill hurriedly passed was in the interest of Nigerians, history would judge him right.

Reports revealed that the 10th Senate has not passed any bill since its inauguration on 13 June.

The upper chamber adjourned for a six-week annual recess on 17 August after the confirmation of 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Akpabio also announced the composition of 74 standing committees on that day.