The Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 resumed plenary session after it adjourned on Thursday, 2March 2023 for the Governorship elections which held on 18 March 2023.
At the sitting of the Senate, the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC: Yobe) welcomed lawmakers from the recess and congratulated those who contested and won various elective positions at the recently concluded elections. He noted that despite the outcomes and challenges of the elections, the Senate remains committed to ensuring that the election process strengthens Nigeria’s governance system. Sen. Lawan, noted that further amending certain provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 to address various concerns and issues raised during the conduct of the elections is a priority for the Senate.
Speaking on the 16 Constitution Alteration Bill assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, Sen. Lawan expressed his gratitude to the President Buhari and commended the effort of the Senate and House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution. Although the National Assembly transmitted a 35 Constitution Alteration Bills to the President Buhari, Sen. Lawan stated that only 16 of the Bills received Presidential assent.
Sen. Lawan in his concluding remarks, reiterated the commitment of the 9th Senate to ensure that all legislative activities and interventions are achieved before the end of the 9th Session of the National Assembly in June 2023.
In the House of Representatives, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC: Lagos) in his welcome address, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts during the general elections noting that the Electoral Act, 2022 passed by the National Assembly was instrumental in enhancing the electoral process although the process of ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system will continue.
The Speaker, also commended President Buhari for assenting to 16 out of the 35 Constitution Alteration Bills transmitted by the National Assembly, noting that these amendments are significant to the operations of Nigerian state, particularly with regards to the devolution of powers to the States and strengthening of the judiciary and legislature at the subnational level.
In his concluding remarks, he stated that the priorities of the House of Representatives will focus mainly on the issues of governance and ensuring that the institutions of government work towards the welfare and security of citizens.
