• Rules out rubber stamping, confrontation
The Senate, yesterday, informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about its readiness to commence legislative duties, including receiving communications from the Executive. 
 
It also informed him about the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate and Senator Jibrin Barau as the Deputy President.

Akpabio explained it was important to inform the President that the Senate is ready to receive executive communications

The Senate also resolved to write to international parliamentary bodies on the inaguration of the 10th Senate, and to write a congratulatory message to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, on their election.

MEANWHILE, the Senate has set up a committee to look into the welfare of members, with Senator Isa Jibrin as chairman.

Other members of the committee are Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Vice Chairman), Senators Ekpenyong Asuquo, Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central); Senators Dandutse Mohammed, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Shuaibu Agolabi Salisu, Aminu Iya Abass, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Ireti Kingibe, Idiat Adbule Oluranti, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Dave Umahi, Barinnada Degi-Ereminyo and Bomoi Ibrahim Mohammed.
 
The upper chamber, which proceeded on a two-week holiday, will resume on July 4.
 
Briefing journalists after the session, Senator Abdul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi State) said although the 10th Senate would not be confrontational, it would definitely not be a rubber stamp legislature. 
 
He disclosed that the Senate would inform the President about its powers and privileges as contained in its rule, legislative powers and Privileges Act and in the Constitution. 
 
“We are not going to be confrontational, but we are not going to be laid back legislators. We’ll make sure they understand our powers and understand our limitations. We will inform the executive of our powers under the Constitution, under the House rules and under the legislative matters privileges. We are not going to be caged.
 
“I am very happy this afternoon that the first thing Senate President did was to call for an executive session with very exhaustive deliberations and I am happy he has started on a very clean slate. I can see he is ready for this job and we have assured him that once he gives us our respect, we are going to accord him our loyalty and we will also caution him that whatever happens, the Senate is the institution that made him Senate President and the chairman of the national Assembly,” he added.
 
On the election of presiding officers, Ningi said he believed the election was transparent and fair, despite insinuation that some people were influenced.
 
He expressed satisfaction with the manner the Senate President took off by engaging all senators in very exhaustive closed door meeting. 

On his expectation regarding the composition of committees, the former Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate said he expected Akpabio to carry all senators, including the minorities.