A drama played out on Tuesday during the plenary session at the Senate as the Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, stormed out of the Chambers livid.
Reason: Ndume was ruled out of order by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Persecondnews reports that Ndume had raised a Point of Order, citing Order 54 of the Senate Rules Book to draw the attention of the Senate President to his handling of affairs in the chambers, saying “there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules.”
Ndume pointed out that “nobody is too big to learn,” before he was abruptly interjected by Senator Akpabio who ruled him out of order.
A visibly enraged Ndume then stormed out of the chamber and went straight to his office.
The Chief Whip was, however, called to return to the chamber for an Executive Session of the Red Chamber.
Ndume had earlier slammed the Senate President for approving some sensitive executive bills without seeking the input of other members and not following due process.
Ndume explained that the two-third requirements to pass a bill is based on the number of senators present at the plenary and not the statutory number of senators – 109.
He said: “There are few instances like the amendment of the constitution, some parts require two-thirds.
“That means the senators before voting will be informed that there will be a vote on a certain matter and they need to be present so that two-thirds will be achieved.
“But any decision that comes up like this during the sitting of the senate, the two-third means those that.”
Author
Leave a comment