Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) and Minority
Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (PDP, Akwa-Ibom), were locked in a battle of
words on Thursday over which chamber of the National Assembly was superior.
Drama started when the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala
Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi), while explaining the powers of the legislature in budget
appropriation, said the Senate and the House were of equal status.
Akpabio interjected by raising a point of order.
He insisted that the Senate was superior to the House in
terms of status.
The former governor of Akwa Ibom said it was in recognition
of the superiority of the Senate that the constitution gave additional
responsibilities to it.
“The constitution assigns additional responsibility to the
Senate and excluded the House; that’s confirmation of nominees.
“This is why many people contest for Senate from the House.
I hope one day the deputy leader will contest for House and go back there,” he
posited.
Within seconds, Senator Lawan raised a point of order and
backed Na’Allah’s position.
He noted that Akpabio’s submission cannot stand as both
legislative chambers complement each other.
“I’m in support of the deputy leader’s position. I was at
the House for eight years; I’m convinced that no chamber can make any
legislation without the concurrence of the other.
“If you cannot send a bill to the executive for assent
without the House, you will know that none of the chambers is superior to the
other.
“The Senate only has an additional responsibility. I moved
from the House to the Senate to participate in the additional responsibility of
the Senate and not legislation,” he explained.
As tension grew, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki,
intervened.
“The matter has become a controversial one; we should just
leave it,” he ruled.
Senate, after the drama, adjourned plenary for 3 weeks, to
commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the 8th Assembly and Eid-El-Fitri festival.
Incidentally, the two ‘gladiators’ were involved in the
decision to adjourn.
Lawan moved for the adjournment which was seconded by the
Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio.
Plenary will resume Tuesday, 4th July, 2017 for legislative
activities.
By Wale Odunsi
