The Senate, on Tuesday, adjourned plenary abruptly till Wednesday after five minutes of sitting following members’ inability to form a quorum.
The day’s plenary started at 10:30am ended 10:35am when the Majority Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, moved a point of order drawing the attention of the leadership to the fact that they did not form a quorum.
There are 109 members in the red chamber and they could only form a quorum if at least 37 of them are in attendance.
The members were already seated with Senate President, Bukola Saraki, presiding while the votes and proceedings of the previous sitting had been read and adopted before the Adeyeye’s point of order.
At 10:33am, two minutes into the day’s legislative business, Senator Andrew Uchendu moved for the adoption of last Thursday’s votes and proceedings.
It was seconded by the Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda. As soon as the votes and proceedings were adopted, Adeyeye raised the point of order, citing the lack of a quorum.
Saraki, who agreed with his position, called for the adjournment of the day’s sitting.
Adeyeye who stood in for the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, therefore moved a motion for an adjournment.
He was seconded by Emmanuel Bwacha, who stood in for the Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi.
Some lawmakers who came to the chamber thereafter, expressed disappointment, upon learning that plenary had been adjourned.
The senators in attendance are Saraki, Uchendu, Aduda, Adeyeye, Gbenga Ashafa and Shaba Lafiagi.
Others are Emmanuel Bwacha, Francis Alimikhena, Suleiman Adokwe, and Gbolahon Dada.
According to the day’s Order Paper, some reports had been slated for deliberations.
Three career ambassadors were also billed for confirmation, while a new bill on mental health and substance abuse, ought to have been presented.
The Punch
