The deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie-Omo Agege Wednesday declined to tender apology to his colleagues over delay in the commencement of plenary preceding as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan was absent.
The session which was expected to start by 11’00am later commenced by 12:25 when the Deputy Senate President entered the Chamber to preside over proceeding.
The initial absence of the two principal officers to preside over plenary at about 12noon, forced some Senators who were already in the Chamber for the session to go back to their Offices
However, one of the Senators, George Sekibo who came under a point of order expressed dissatisfaction over failure of the leadership of the Senate to delegate responsibility to other principal officers who were available to preside over plenary.
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Sekibo coming under order 10 of senate standing rules,
“Any Senator may rise at any time to speak upon a matter of Privilege suddenly arising, and he shall be prepared to move, without Notice, a motion declaring that a contempt or breach of privilege has been committed, or referring the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, but if the matter is raised in Committee of the Whole Senate, the Chairman shall leave the Chair to report progress”
Sekibo told the Deputy Senate President that he would have delegated the power to the senate leader or any other principal officer to preside instead of keeping the senators to hang around the chamber
Deputy Senate President ruled Senator Sekibo out of order, and failed to apologize nor explain his reasons for resuming plenary after over one hour of expected time.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
