Different strokes as National Assembly resume

Distinguished senators would on resumption seek to play down the personal political issues affecting them. 

They are expected to focus on some issues of national importance while holding in the reserve, their trump card against the executive arm of government using their powers of confirmation of executive appointment and other legislative leverages.

At the height of the face off with the presidency it would be recalled that Senators were the only major stakeholders, who did not break fast with President Muhammadu Buhari during the last Islamic month of Ramadan. 

The economic crisis As the Senators return from their constituencies, those of them who were able to cope with the biting economy in their constituencies with the attendant demands from constituents would first devote themselves to the economic crisis. North East Development Commission Bill, 2016 This bill was stepped down before the Senate went on recess following sharp disagreement among the Senators from the North East on where the headquarters of the Commission should be situated. 

While Senator Malam Ali Wakili (APC, Bauchi) canvassed for the headquarters to be in Bauchi state, Sen. Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai APC, Borno Central was of the view that the headquarters of the Commission should be located in Borno State to compensate its indigenes on the devastating socio-economic consequences of the insurgency. He also said the headquarter being in Borno is critical to giving hope to its people. 

PIB The Senate re-introduced the controversial and long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, which is also called the Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill, PIGB, The bill seeks to give the country’s oil and gas industry a comprehensive legal framework and also provide the basis for the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, into five independent commercial entities. 

The New PIB, had earlier passed first reading, and it was scheduled for second reading on April 26, but suffered a setback when the Senate suspended debate on it midway against the backdrop that some senators, particularly those from the South- South had insisted that debate on it should be suspended because copies of the bill were not distributed to members ahead of time to enable them do what they termed, a thorough study and prepare for meaningful contributions. 

But on June 8, the bill appeared as number one item on the Order Paper and the Senate went into executive session, after which the bill was dropped again without any explanation.

 Another issue that would make the Senate stormy is the Grazing Reserves Bill and if it must be passed, it would need strong and comprehensive consensus building because of conflict of interests. 

Confirmation Hearing Two major confirmation hearings expected as the Senate resumes would be for the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the board and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission. The nominations are currently with the Senate. 

One other issue though outside the Senate that will resonate in the Senate would be the trial of the two presiding officers of the Senate, Senate President Bukola Saraki, and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu. 

Saraki is being tried on his own on a 16-count criminal charge the Federal Government slammed against the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT for offenses committed when he was governor about six years ago. 

The Tribunal had in July, deferred further hearing on all the cases pending before it till this month, September. Another case involving Saraki is the one in which he is jointly charged with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu over the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules. 

The trial of the two men had engendered serious bitterness in the chamber, and it is assumed that should the administration proceed with the case it could lead to the Senate also fighting back through using its powers to stifle the efforts of the administration. 

House: Addressing Jibrin’s injury first  By Emman Ovuakporie As the House of Representatives resumes tomorrow, members returning from their constituencies should ordinarily have been fired with the zeal to address issues flowing from the economic recession. Of course, they would.

However, the more personal issue concerning the collective onslaught of one member against the institution would take priority. The mantra is:Save the institution by first addressing the Jibrin problem and then address other issues of national importance. 

Just as the legislators  proceeded on leave last July, the House leadership removed Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin from his powerful position as chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation. Following his removal, Jibrin proceeded on a one-man campaign against principal officers of the House and some selected chairmen, who he accused of ‘padding’ the 2016 budget. 

Jibrin, who subsequently claimed that he is now a born-again activist claimed that the speaker and three other principal officers padded the budget with over N40billion. 

The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Minority Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, Majority Whip, Hon Alhassan Doguwa are pointing the accusing finger at Jibrin. Transparency and Integrity groups emerged singing different lyrics about budget padding. 

Documents including doctored ones were displayed to convince whoever cares to listen to drive home their points. The Bauchi- born speaker maintained his silence, which angered some of his supporters. 

Some lawmakers, who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, vowed that Jibrin must face the Ethics and Privileges Committee, the watchdog of the House that enforces discipline. 

One of the lawmakers, who represents one of the states in the North Central told Vanguard: “I’m very bitter because the ICPC invited me to tell them what I know about budget padding as my name was among those that co-signed a document.” “Only for me to discover that it was an attendance list that I signed during a committee meeting. The list has no link to budget padding, and you want me to spare such a man. 

My brother I can’t guarantee that the guy will just come, and I will then wash his hands with water.” Another lawmaker from the South-South said: “The National Assembly has never suffered this kind of disgrace before, and you expect us just to allow the guy to go like that? No way.” 

“He (Jibrin) must tell us how he padded the budget and how he used his pen to affix all the amounts he claimed he padded into the budget. “After telling us, he would appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to sing all those his beautiful lyrics that he has been singing. 

“One thing is certain, on Tuesday, immediately after the opening ceremony we’ll go into an executive session to properly weigh all the options before us. 

“But one thing is certain, there is no way Jibrin will not go back home with a bloody nose. “We’ll ensure that a proper in-house investigation is carried out, and I do know he would soon go on a very long vacation.” 

After addressing the Jibrin matter, the House would then address itself to other matters of state including the recession, militancy in the Niger Delta, insecurity, herdsmen attacks across the country and preparations for the 2017 budget.