By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Opposition senators in the 10th Senate from the six minority parties yesterday maintained that the emergence of their principal officers followed relevant provisions of the country’s Constitution and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
The minority lawmakers insisted that the officers for the positions were proposed for appointment and other members confirmed it.
The Minority Leader of the Senate, Simon Mwadkwon (PDP- Plateau North), clarified this while briefing journalists after a meeting with his members in the six opposition parties.
He described the 10th Senate as being unique in several ways, adding that it is reckoned as the most diverse Senate in the history of Nigeria’s political development composed of Senators from seven political parties including the APC with 59 Members and the opposition parties of PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, YPP producing 50 Members of the Senate.
The text of the briefing was titled: “Building a virile and constructive opposition caucus in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
Mwadkwon said, “In terms of rules of procedure for the nomination of Minority Leadership of the Senate, Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowers the Senate to make rules to regulate its procedures.
“Premised on the constitutional mandate, and by the authority of the Nigerian Senate, the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (As amended) issued as the rule book to guide the conduct of legislative businesses including the appointment of principal officers by the Senate.
“Consequently, the Senate Standing Orders (2022) in Chapter Six (6), pages 21 to 22, Senate Rules Nos 27, 28, 29, and 30 provided for the Minority Leadership positions including the Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader, and Deputy Minority Whip ‘Who shall be Senators, nominated from the Minority Parties in the Senate.’
“The critical emphasis here is that the Officers must be (1) Serving Senators of the Federal of Nigeria, who are (2) Members of the Minorities Parties in the Senate and the word nominate in the Oxford language dictionary means to ‘Propose’.
“When a proposal is made, it is usually to an authority that has the confirming powers, in this case, the President of the Senate.
“Accordingly, the President of the Senate received the proposal, announced it, and publicly gavelled the Minority Leadership nominees into confirmation in line with the Senate Standing Orders.
“It is also important to inform Nigerians at this point that, in line with relevant laws, practices, procedures and conventions, and traditions, the Principal Officers of a Legislative Assembly are not balloted.
“It is not competitive elections moderated by INEC or any other umpire, but a matter that is rooted in age-long and well-established legislative practices and procedures.
“Even though whenever issues of political leadership are raised, you cannot discountenance the emergence of contentious voices, especially in a situation involving six political parties.
“This is expected because that in itself is the beauty and natural character of democracy whereby we disagree without being disagreeable.
“For us, this is democracy at its best and parliamentary politics at its finest wheel for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
“However, rather than dwell on issues of parliamentary politics we should now focus on putting machinery in place to unite all opposition parties and outline our Opposition Leadership Agenda to the Nigerian people that will ensure a virile opposition assertiveness in the Senate to keep the ruling majority on their toes.”
On the legislative agenda and policy focus of the 10th Senate opposition leadership, Mwadkwon noted that parliament plays a critical role in representation and oversight for the attainment of good governance and sustainable development.
According to him, parliamentary oversight exercises control over the activities of the Executive arm of government including other roles like the making of the national budget in line with the provisions of the constitution to ensure efficiency, accountability, and value for money on government expenditures, policies, programs, and projects.
He said the institution would work in the interest of the Nigerian people in all areas of law-making, oversight, appropriation, confirmation of appointments, representation, loan approvals, and constituency services.
