The Nigerian Senate did not have the required number of Senators to hold a plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers adjourned the plenary for a week as a result of their inability to form a quorum.
The lawmakers had converged to start the business of the day when Philip Aduda (FCT-PDP) called the attention of his colleagues to the scantiness of the chamber. He ascribed absence of some lawmakers to oversight functions which they are currently engaged in.
“We are less than 10, Mr President,” he said. “I want to move that since we have not (formed) quorum, we may therefore adjourn but in doing so I want to say that the senate is empty because various committees are carrying out oversight duties, they are all over the country, ensuring that the budget is performing.
“On that note, the
The motion for adjournment was seconded by the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, who said the lawmakers present were more than the figure Mr Aduda quoted.
“I rise to second the motion ably moved by senator Aduda but let me add that we are more than 10 but certainly not up to 38. We are somewhere between 15 and 20. Just for the record we are not less than 10 but less than 20,” Mr Ekweremadu said.
The motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, urged his colleagues to conclude their over sight functions and resume on Tuesday November 20.
“It is important that our members who are not here- we should communicate to them- those on oversight, to finish what they have during the week – in the area of oversight. Some of the findings from the oversight are important and it is important that the exercise is done diligently and we should ensure that it is completed by the end of this week. That is in line with order 10 (3).”
