Senate holds valedictory session, constitution amendment suspended

The 7th National Assembly on Thursday in a valedictory session summarizing its existence in the last four years, having been inaugurated on 5th June, 2011 with Senator David Bonaventure Mark as its President, officially suspended constitution amendment.

Part of legislative duties to be performed before its formal closure was the pendency of 4th amendment of the 1999 Constitution which former President, Goodluck Jonathan vetoed but was referred to the Supreme Court, and eventually settled out of court.

The fireworks that ensued between the former administration and the 7th National Assembly were some grey areas introduced into the constitution, one of which was the introduction of the office of Solicitor General of the Federation from the traditional office of the Attorney General of the Federation, an introduction that did not go down well with the Presidency, hence his refusal to assent to the amended copy of the Constitution.

Traditionally, the National Assembly, having passed the bill into law would override such presidential veto. In anticipation of the veto, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu today presented the bill on the order paper among 46 others, but was suspended following the motion by Senator Ndoma Egba (Cross River Central senatorial district). It was unanimously agreed that the amendment be suspended while deferring it to another legislative day which is technical a way of evading it as all processes leading to the amendment or any proposed motion exterminate with the session.

#senate