Olu Onemola, the Special Assistant on New Media to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday stated that the former Kwara governor was the first legislator who called for the minimum wage bill to be sent to the National Assembly on time so that it can be attended to before the commencement of the recess.
Responding to a statement issued in Ilorin by Issa Aremu, a trade unionist, Onemola stated that Dr. Saraki is in full support of the N30,000 minimum wage proposal, and even called for the executive to fast-track the transmission of the Bill to the National Assembly as early as January — so that it’s passage would not coincide with the recess of the parliament.
Onemola also stated that now that the House of Representatives had passed the Minimum Wage Bill, it would be easy for the Senate to fast-track the passage of the Bill ones it resumes.
“Dr. Saraki is in support of the N30,000 minimum wage proposal and personally he believes that with the process the bill has undergone in the House of Representatives, it is easy for the Senate to fast-track its passage by simply adopting the House version.
“However, we must be clear about this: the Senate President can only work with the support of his colleagues as he is just first amongst equals, and he is not the Chief Executive of the Senate.
“Additionally, it is necessary to mention that the role of Dr. Saraki as DG PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) does not conflict with his role as the chief legislator of the country. Mr. Aremu may have to familiarise himself with the legislative process before releasing such further statements. Bills are not passed by mere pronouncements or personal wishes of the presiding officer.
“As such, the Senate President is not a chief executive. He is just the presiding officer. Also, there is a legislative process for the passage of the law which cannot be circumvented,” Onemola said.
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