Abuja: The Senate on Thursday rescinded the amendments made to Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), choosing to retain the previous rules after constitutional issues were raised.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Senate had recently altered the standing rules to restrict principal leadership positions exclusively to lawmakers serving at least their second terms. The revised provisions stipulated that only serving 10th Senate lawmakers re-elected during the 2027 elections would qualify for principal officer positions.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) initiated the motion for rescission and re-committal of Orders 2(2) and 3(1) during the plenary in Abuja, which was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro (Benue South). Bamidele highlighted that further legislative and constitutional reviews revealed potential conflicts with Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly Section 52, necessitating immediate corrections.
He emphasized that the Senate held the authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit previously concluded matters to uphold legislative integrity, parliamentary convention, and legislative practice. Consequently, the Senate rescinded its earlier decision on the amendments and retained the previous rules.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, presiding over the plenary, described the motion as necessary to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions. Barau expressed appreciation for the Senate leader’s vigilance and affirmed the straightforward nature of the motion.
In response, Senator Adams Oshiomhole criticized the process of the initial amendments, arguing that lawmakers rushed the proceedings without allowing comprehensive debates. Oshiomhole advocated for more robust debates in future legislative processes.
Bamidele addressed the chamber, cautioning against revisiting concluded matters without presenting substantive rescission motions. He remarked that past disruptions overshadowed substantive legislative business and called for an end to unnecessary drama during future deliberations.
Furthermore, the Senate also rescinded its earlier decision on the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026, recommitting it to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration. Bamidele noted that specific provisions, including clauses 4(6), 8(j), 35-40, and the memorandum for passage, required legislative reconsideration. The Senate subsequently recommitted and passed the bill.