I did not propose 2011 Rules for 9th Assembly inauguration–Enang

Sen. Ita Enang, the Senor Special Assistant to the President on
National Assembly Matters(Senate) has said that he did not propose
the use of the 2011 Standing Rule for the inauguration of 9th
National Assembly.

Enang, gave the clarification in a statement on Monday in
Abuja.

“At no time did I say that the National Assembly should use the
2011 standing orders to inaugurate the 9th Assembly.

“That is outside my mandate, either as functionary of the
Government or as presenter on the occasion.

“I pray that all persons expressing opinion on the current and
incoming legislature should please accord same decorum due
legislators and the Legislature.

He noted that a substantial part of the body of the story were
submissions he made during the orientation programme for national
assembly members-elect, but that the headline was at variance with
the story and against his submissions.

“As liaison, for every person relating with the legislature and
legislators, our words and intervention should be solving,
temperate, conciliatory, warm, inviting and deferring to the
distinguished and honourable members.

“I therefore, would not use words of the nature referenced, more
so , as the legislators-elect of both majority and minority parties
on the floor of each chambers have closed ranks across party
lines.

” As they have resolved to act in the best interest of
parliamentary tradition as one house narrowing party divide, in the
interest of the Nation, all towards the expected end.

“At the orientation seminar, I delivered a paper on
Parliamentary practice,”he said.

Enang further said: “His Excellency, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the
Deputy President of the Senate was the chairman of the session.

“An issue arose as to the Senate or House Rules being used
during inauguration of the Assembly.

” The issue was whether the rules left by the immediate
proceeding Assembly or whether the Assembly to be inaugurated can
amend their Rules or indeed make new rules to adopt method of
voting.

“The Deputy Senate President submitted that the management can
make new Rules and use same during the inauguration of the new
Assembly.

“I however said in view of the provision of Section 60 of the
1999 Constitution, the management or clerk cannot make new rules
during the interregnum between the presidential proclamation
dissolving the Assembly and another presidential proclamation
convening the Assembly.

“The section says, subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have
power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for
summoning and recess of the House.”

“And that the National Assembly referred to in the constitution
refers to elected members who have been sworn in and taken seats,
and not management.

” The senators-elect and members-elect, having not been sworn-in
and legally not yet known to law as legislators cannot on the day
of inauguration and before taking the oath amend the rules or adopt
new Rules.*

He added that “the only business they can partake in is the
election of the two presiding officers before inauguration and no
more.”(NAN)