By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Senate yesterday had its own fair share of controversy over the $1 billion withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the insurgency fight.
Specifically, some senators raised their voices in a mild protest when the matter was not mentioned for debate.
Last week, the National Economic Council, which has the governors as members, had during its meeting chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, agreed to withdraw $1 billion from the ECA to tackle insurgency in the North-east.
Nigeria Governors’ Forum said it approved the withdrawal of the fund to prosecute the war.
And following the dust generated by the governors’ decision, Senator Samuel Anyanwu(PDP Imo East), on Wednesday called the Senate’s attention to the uproar generated by the decision amongst Nigerians.
Giving the sensitivity of the matter, the lawmaker, via a point of order, pleaded with his colleagues that he should be allowed to present a motion to that effect, and this was unanimously agreed to.
However, to the chagrin of the lawmakers, the matter was not listed on the order paper yesterday, a development that aroused some curiosity among some lawmakers, who believed the issue deserved some mention.
And in a quick reaction, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, asked to know why the matter was left out on the Order Paper, saying the decision was not as agreed the previous day.
Ekweremadu said: “We agreed to look into the approval of $1 billion for the fight against Boko Haram today (Thursday) for our consideration. We have looked and checked the Order Paper but the matter was not listed for discussion as agreed.”
Responding to Ekweremadu’s inquiries, Senate President Bukola Saraki, explained that the matter was left out on the Order Paper because its sponsor was not in the chamber.
Although Saraki’s response generated a mild protest from some senators, he however assured that the issue would be treated in the next legislative day come January 2018.
The senate president pleaded with his colleagues to exercise patience on the matter, assuring that it would be listed as first motion for consideration on the Order Paper next year.
Saraki explained: “The issue would have come up today but Senator Sam Anyanwu could not present the motion today. He pleaded for more time and I agree that we move it to another legislative day, which is when we resume. It will be the first item on the Order Paper.
“It is an important motion that we cannot take if the person that moved it is not here. It cannot be delegated. I assure you that we will take it.
“Our party will not spend money that did not follow due process. I am assuring you that the money will not be spent until we come here and debate on it.”
