Senate Adjourns Till Next Week for Congresses

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
The Senate on Thursday suspended its plenary for one week as a result of the ongoing congresses  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its forthcoming May 21 national convention.

The Senate was forced to adjourn plenary following its inability to secure the required quorum of one-third of membership of the chambers as PDP senators stayed away. Only four PDP senators were present at the session.

The suspension of the plenary was in adherence to the provision in Senate Standing Orders which prohibits sitting in the chamber unless one-third (37) of the 109 senators are in attendance.

But yesterday, only 25 senators most of whom were members of All Progressives Congress (APC) were present. Besides four PDP senators, the only member of Labour Party, Ovie Omo-Agege, was also in attendance.

Hence, after considering the votes and proceedings of Wednesday, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, moved the motion for adjournment of the plenary to Thursday, May 12 to enable PDP senators fully participate in their party’s congress.

The one-week adjournment followed the consideration of a letter addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio.
The letter sought the leave of the Senate for PDP senators to participate fully in their state congresses by suspending plenary.