Expected commencement of debate on the general principles of the N8.83trillion 2019 budget proposals suffered set back in Senate this morning as required quorum of 37 senators couldn’t be formed .
Only 10 out of the 109 senators were present for plenary as at 10.35am this morning which led to adjournment of plenary to tomorrow ( Wednesday , 23rd January , 2019).
During the five minutes sitting of the Senate today, Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC Rivers East) had moved for adoption of votes and proceedings of sitting of Thursday January 17, 2019 and was seconded by the Senate Minority Whip, Philip Aduda (PDP FCT).
But the Senate Majority Whip, Olusola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) raised a point of order pointing out that plenary cannot continue because the number of members on seat did not form quorum.
He was seconded by Emmanuel Bwacha, Deputy Minority Whip ( PDP Taraba South ) and swiftly concurred to , by the Senate President , Bukola Saraki exactly by 10:35am .
Both the Senate Standing Rule Order 10(1) and Section 54 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) required 37 senators which is one- third of the 109 senators.
The rule states : ” The quorum of the Senate shall be one third of the members of the Senate.
” (2) ii, at any time during the daily sessions of the Senate, a question is raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum, the presiding officer shall within fifteen minutes forthwith, direct the
“Cierk to can the roll and announce the result, and these proceedings shall be without debate.
” (3) Whenever after such roll call, it shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, the President of the Senate may direct Sergeant-At Arms to request and, when necessary, to compel the attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be determined without debate; and pending its execution, and until a quorum shalt be present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn or to suspend sitting shalt be in order”
Senators in attendance were; Bukola Saraki, Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central), Gbenga Ashafa ( Lagos West), Emmaneul Bwacha (Taraba), Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Solomon Adokwe (Nasarawa), Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West),Andrew Ochendo (Rivers East ), Francis Aliemekhena (Edo North) and Philip Aduda (FCT).
