Attempt to impose 2015 Standing Order on 9th Senate will fail —Adeola

Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos) says any move to adopt the
2015 Senate Standing Order in election of Senate leadership of 9th
Assembly will be resisted.

Adeola, who made this known while speaking with newsmen in
Abuja, maintained that proper procedure was not followed in
amending the 2015 standing order, which the 8th Senate is currently
using.

He noted that the 2011 standing order allowed for open ballot
system, which is the practice in parliaments in other climes.

The lawmaker said one of the best things that would happen to
the 9th Senate is to jettison the 2015 Standing Order and adopt
that of 2011.

According to him, adopting the 2011 Standing Order will give
room for open ballot system in the 9th Senate election, that will
afford Nigerians the opportunity to know choices being made on
their behalf by their lawmakers.

Adeola, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, said: “In
all parliaments of the world, lawmakers are allowed to at least
mention who should be their presiding officers.

“The rule book, as it is currently, has not met the necessary
criteria that can be relied upon to elect our new presiding
officers.

“It is on that note that we are all calling for open ballot
system, where every lawmaker will stand up, mention your senatorial
district, who you are nominating to be the next presiding officer
in the 9th Senate.

“That is the procedure we are all agitating for and that is the
position we are going to maintain in electing our new president of
the Senate by the grace of God.

“The rule book for 2011, which is the rule book that,
ordinarily, would have been used in 2015, was not properly
amended.

“It was done by the management of the National Assembly and not
by the members of the Senate.

“Meanwhile, the 2011 rule book was amended in line with the
rules of the Senate and as such, we will opt for it in the 9th
Assembly.”

The lawmaker further said: “The 2015 rule book will not be
relied upon because it did not undergo the necessary process for it
to be amended in accordance with the rule of the Senate.

“So, it cannot be used to elect our new leaders and we are going
for the open ballot system. That is allowed in a democratic
system.

“Lawmakers are allowed to stand up and address themselves and
make known what position they are taking.”

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that recent calls by some
groups for the 9th Senate to adopt open ballot system in the
election of president of the Senate and other presiding officers
had caused heated debate among stakeholders, particularly
lawmakers.

Some lawmakers believed that the 2015 standing order, used in
electing members of the 8th Senate, did not follow due process and
as such, the 2011 standing order should be used in the 9th
session.

They believe that the use of secret ballot system in the 2015
Senate election was a charade, noting that the 2011 order which
allowed for open ballot system was not properly amended.

Meanwhile, standing orders, also known as standing rules or
rules, refer to the body of rules, ethics and customs governing
legislative bodies.

In Nigeria, standing orders are rules made in line with Section
60 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), for smooth operation of
the National Assembly.

Section 60 states, “Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have
powers to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for
summoning and recess of the House.

The rules were binding on all members and if violated, the
offender would be severely punished, based its provision.

However, it could be suspended, amended, or changed by majority
voting, depending on the situation under consideration.

(NAN)

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!