0
ABUJA: The Senate today swore in four new Senators who emerged victorious in the recently conducted midterm elections in Rivers, Nasarawa, Ondo, and Enugu States, respectively.
Welcoming the new lawmakers, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reminded them of the need to embrace the Senate Standing Order, warning, “Please do not jump up to speak if you do not know what the rule says.”
His instructions may not be unconnected with the crisis involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was placed on a six-month suspension following conduct attributed to her non-compliance with the Senate Standing Order.
“I remind them that we have just presented to them the Nigerian Constitution, which is the ground norm of the governance of this nation, and the Senate Standing Orders 2026, which guide our proceedings in the chambers.”
“The two documents presented to you are not for the shelves in your library. They are for your consumption on a daily basis, so you can follow the proceedings assiduously.
“Whenever there is a motion, and I ask for additional comments, Senate players do not reopen the debates,” Akpabio insisted.
The Senate President continued, “Look at the proceedings in Order 38 so that you see the way the Senate proceeds.”
“Every organization has its own modus operandi, and we do have our own here.
“Please try to read these Senate Standing Orders and imbibe the content therein so that you can contribute meaningfully, legally, and orderly to the proceedings of the Senate. If you are ruled out of order by the Senate President or the Presiding Officer, do not take offense.
“We operate by the rules. For some of you who are returning, I congratulate you. Like Senator Olaka Nwogu, who was with us in the 8th Senate, and I’m happy to see him again. I believe that your names will come up. We are taking part in today’s proceedings before we go to any reception.”
The new entrants are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District; Envulu Anza of the All Progressives Congress, representing Nasarawa North; Ikeje Asogwu of the APC, representing Enugu North; and Dayo Faduyile of the APC, representing Ondo South.