9th NASS: Controversy Trails Proclamation For Inauguration

Patrick OdeyJune 4, 2019

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Confusion and controversy yesterday, trailed the purported proclamation issued by President Muhammadu Buhari for inauguration of the 9th National Assembly on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. This is because the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, could not confirm the authenticity of the proclamation untill press time.

When journalists visited the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mohammed Sani-Omolori, some of his staff, who pleaded anonymity, said that the proclamation was true. When contacted to confirm receipt of the letter, Enang promised to confirm the authenticity of the proclamation but he did not. President Buhari in the letter of proclamation, had fixed the date of inauguration of the 9th National Assembly for Tuesday, 11th June, 2019 by 10a.m. 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 Commanderin- 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 that the first session of the Ninth National Assembly shall hold at 10a.m. 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.”

On the other hand, our correspondent made more attempt to get confirmation of the Proclamation from the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Nelson Ayewoh, but to no avail. Meanwhile New Telegraph learnt that the 162 federal lawmakerselect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were meeting with the national leadership of the party to take decision on the position of the party on the leadership of the 9th National Assembly at both chambers.

The 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 while the party has 118 Honourable memberselect where votes of at least 181 members-elect are required for election of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sources hinted that the PDP lawmaker select meeting was to fashion out strategies on who to support among various aspirants contesting for presiding officers positions at both chambers.

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 while Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Umaru Mohammed Bago and others are in the race for the Speakership of the 9th House of Representatives.