Senate to share committees between APC, PDP
New rule demands equal distribution among geo-political zones
THE Senate will distribute its committees equally among the six geo-political zones of the country irrespective of political party affiliations.
Accordingly, each zone is expected to get at least nine committee chairmanship seats out of the total 57 Senate committees.
This new tradition is in compliance with Order 3 (4) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended.
The new Standing Order states: “The appointment of Senators as chairmen and members of committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the six geo-political zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of Senators from a few geo-political zones.”
However, this portion of the Standing Order runs contrary and in conflict with the 2011 version, which favoured the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In fact, it was not contained in the 2011 version of the Senate Rule, which was used by the Senator David Mark-led Seventh Senate.
In the Seventh Senate, the distribution showed a serious discrepancy in favour of PDP. In that arrangement, the South-South got 14 chairmanship seats, followed by the North Central, South East and North West, which got 10 each.
The South West got the least number of chairmanship positions with only five seats while the North East got seven.
The political implication of the equal sharing principle stipulated by the new rule is that the All Progressives Congress (APC), which drew its membership mainly from the North West, North Central and the South West will enjoy no special preference unlike what PDP enjoyed when it was in power.
The 2015 Standing Rule had generated serious crises leading to the intervention of the police. The Unity Forum Senators had petitioned the Police over what they described as forgery of the Senate Rule. This was a reaction to their defeat in the battle for Senate leadership.
Consequently, the Police had summoned leadership of the Seventh Senate including Senators David Mark, Ike Ekweremadu as well as Victor Ndoma-Egba. Also invited for questioning was the President of the Eighth Senate, Bukola Saraki.
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25 Comments
This is good development, it will help to stabilize the Senate.
Why dont you request for the same stability in the 7th assembly where the minority party was sidelined. Lets be truthful to ourselves and not partisans. Simple
U guys didn’t complain then mayb it would have been amended
But this same Saraki complained then to David Mark and he was shouted down. So technically this government has become a government of national uniy. There was no point goig to the polls then if you viva thought that the votes of the people who wanted the PDP out of the way would not count. But you can be rest assured it will not serve the south east any useful purpose. I have said my own.
lol…..Saraki testacles has finally been handed over to PDP and they hold it firmly. I only pity the APC who through their political naivety refused to see this coming by delaying what they should have done abinitio till the morning of the inauguration having seen that their president is politically juvenile only to be crying over spoilt milk later. How are the mighty fallen?
The amended senate standing rule is commendable as it has aligned the rule with the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria on Federal Character principle. Besides, the Senate is of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not of any Party…PDP or APC or APGA or LP etc.
Wat stops ur same commendation of the standing rule in the 7th assembly. Am not also interested in any party stuff but this is bringing to d limelite dat d amended standing rule of 2015 was altered as insunuated in conjuction wit d clerk of d assembly. it is not far fetched dat PDP 7th assembly had a hand in it. it is so clear.
this rule is good because it carries all the regions along
Why not say the same thing in respect to the 7th assembly wen it didnt carry along all the regions?
The south east has not gotten any political appointment from Buhari yet. Please complain about it.
The drums will soon start beating when the SE feels that this government does not represent them. Nature abhors vacuum. Buhari is sowing the wind. He will soon reap the whirlwind. We are not in a military era any more where the people could be muzzled.
Wat role did the South-east play in the emergence of PMG ? Just asking…..
The oil being used to feed you, your father and the whole country, where is it coming from? Its this born to rule mentality that will be stopped soon. If you reject the people, reject their oil as well.
Is it your father, grand father or great great grand father that owns the oil. U are sick
Is it your father or your great grand father that owns the oil….Still asking
Am not in any surprise with this news……we have seen it coming. i just pray the hand of the law will caught up with the elements involved in the secret amendment of the standing rule. PDP should ashame of themselves. Ekweremadu was deputy senate for 8 years, can anyone tell me his achievement in the senate and in the south-east in general. They connived with the clerk to amend the standing rule so dat they wont be sidelined just like they PDP have done for the past years. The truth must be told whether we like it or not.
well am sure you are not from south east to know. but if you must, he did very well. He attracted many constituency project as well as giving employment to many from his constituency.
Can you kindly name wat he attracted as u mentioned and in which south east states.
Thank you. But Southeast is not complaining against Ekweremadu. So let him stay there and enjoy like others.
He doesnt deserve to be dere. Its simple as A, B, C.
The principle of geographical spread or federal character has been bastardised.
Bastardised with inclusion of Southeast as beneficiary?
The SouthWest will be one of the key losers if the Federal character is abolished. They depend so much on government handout.
Saraki will make a very good and active Senate President.I think Ndigbo should look at him closely for adoption in future as Presidential candidate from North Central when it gets to their turn.Eastern Nigeria Senators should support Saraki in all his travails in the hands of Tinudu and APC South West.
Gbam!!
We will review and take appropriate action.