Minority Caucus in Senate says method used in election of leadership is best

Iyojo Ameh in Abuja

Twenty four hours after emergence of its leaders , the Minority Caucus in the Senate has defended the method used.

Both the Majority and Minority caucuses in the Senate had on Tuesday in plenary , appointed their principal officers without inputs from their political parties .

Addressing journalists after caucus meeting on Wednesday , the Minority Leader of the Senate , Senator Devou Nwadkwon (PDP Plateau North) , said his appointment and those of the three other Principal minority leaders in the Senate , were in line with relevant laws ,parliamentary practices, procedures and conventions .

The minority leader who was flanked by many of the Senators on the platforms of minorities parties, said the non – involvement of leadership of affected political parties , was not a violation of any law or rules.

He said : ” Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowers the Senate to make rules to regulate its procedures.

“Premised on the constitutional mandate, and by the authority of the Nigerian Senate, the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (As amended) issued as the rule book to guide the conduct of legislative businesses including the appointment of principal officers by the Senate.

“Consequently, The Senate Standing Orders (2022) in Chapter Six (6), pages 21 to 22, Senate Rules Nos 27, 28, 29, and 30 provided for the Minority Leadership positions including the Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader, and Deputy Minority Whip “Who shall be Senators, nominated from the Minority Parties in the Senate.

“The critical emphasis here is that the Officers must be (1) Serving Senators of the Federal of Nigeria, who are (2) Members of the Minorities Parties in the Senate and the word nominate in the Oxford language dictionary means to “Propose”. When a proposal is made, it is usually to an authority that has the confirming powers, in this case, the President of the Senate.

” Accordingly, the President of the Senate received the proposal, announced it, and publicly gavelled the Minority Leadership nominees into confirmation in line with the Senate Standing Orders.

” It is also important to inform Nigerians at this point that, in line with relevant laws, practices, procedures and conventions, and traditions, the Principal Officers of a Legislative Assembly are not balloted.

” It is not competitive elections moderated by INEC or any other umpire, but a matter that is rooted in age- long and well-established legislative practices and procedures. Despite the fact that whenever issues of political leadership are raised, you cannot discountenance the emergence of contentious voices, especially in a situation involving 6 political parties.

“This is expected because that in itself is the beauty and natural character of democracy whereby we disagree without being disagreeable.

“For us this democracy at its best and parliamentary politics at its finest wheel for democratic consolidation in Nigeria”.

Ranking Senators across political parties at the briefing included Abdul Ningi ( PDP Bauchi South) , Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi ( PDP Osun East ) , Francis Ezenwa ( Labour Party Imo East ) , Aliyu Wadada ( SDP , Nasarawa West) etc