9th NASS: Controversy over proclamation for inauguration Tuesday

The ‘Proclamation’ issued by President Muhammadu Buhari  for inauguration of the 9th National Assembly Tuesday next week, 11th June, 2019, generated controversy as staff members in the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly ( CNA), Mohammed Sani-Omolori, confirmed  it while the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang feigned ignorance .

Though Enang promised to confirm the authenticity of the Proclamation but he wasn’t forthcoming up till press time.

President Buhari, in the confirmed proclamation by staffers of the National Assembly in the CNA’s office, fixed the date of inauguration of the 9th National Assembly for Tuesday, 11th June, 2019 by 10:00am prompt.

The Proclamation  dated 30th May , 2019 and titled: “Proclamation for the holding of the 1st Session of the 9th National Assembly ” reads: ”  Whereas it is provided in Section 64(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) that the person elected as President shall have power to issue a Proclamation for the holding of the first session of the National Assembly immediately after his being sworn-in. 

“Now, therefore, I Muhammadu Buhari, President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers bestowed upon me by Section 64 (3) aforesaid and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim me in that behalf, hereby proclaim that the first session of the Ninth (9th) National Assembly shall hold at 10:00am on Tuesday, 11th June, 2019 in the National Assembly, Abuja. 

“Given under my hand and the public seal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at Abuja, this 30th day of May, 2019.  (Signed)  Muhammadu Buhari “.

Further efforts made by our reporter to get confirmation of the Proclamation from the Clerk of the Senate , Mr. Nelson Ayewoh proved abortive even as a presidential aide from the Villa directed enquiries on the document to  Enang, who was however helpless on the authenticity or otherwise of the  information.

PDP lawmakers-elect meet

Meanwhile, the 162 federal lawmakers-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were at the time of filing this report Monday night meeting with the national leadership of the party on stance to take on the leadership of the 9th National Assembly at both chambers.
While PDP has 44 senators – elect in the Senate where votes of 55 senators are required for election of either the president or deputy president of the Senate, it has 118 honourable members-elect where votes of at least 181 members-elect are required for election of speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

The PDP lawmakers- elect meeting as disclosed by sources, was to map out strategies on who to support among various aspirants contesting for presiding positions at both chambers.

While Senators Ahmad Lawan (APC Yobe North), Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) and Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central) are in the race for the presidency of the 9th Senate, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila , Umaru Mohammed Bago and others are in the race for the speakership of the 9th House

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