The National Assembly on Tuesday, resumed plenary in renovated chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives, after returning from a 40 day recess, which they embarked upon on March 20.
The legislature had embarked on the renovation of the Upper and Lower chambers in April 2022, as part of effort to meet international standard.
The renovation included works on the roofing, cooling system, chairs replacement, new sitting arrangement, wall redesigning among others.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila had on Monday April 29, inspected the renovation of the House of Representatives ahead the Tuesday resumption.
Meanwhile, Tuesday sitting commenced on a rowdy note in the Senate, following an argument that ensued between Sen.Danjuma Goje, (Gombe Central) and Sen. Sahabi Yau (Zamfara North), and the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
Though it was not clear what led to the argument which was largely atteibuted to the new sitting arrangement in the chamber in parts of the media.
The situation was, however, quelled by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke to the lawmakers.
At a news conference after plenary, the Senate Spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramola, denied fight over seating arrangement at Tuesday’s plenary as reported in parts of the media.
Meanwhile, he lawmakers shortly after Akpabio’s welcome speech at the plenary, went into a close door session, which lasted over two hours, from 11:59 a.m. to 2:22 p.m.
Upon return from the close door session, Sen. Okey Ezea(Enugu North) raised a Point of Order citing Order 42.
The point of order was in respect of the demise of a former senator, Sen. Ayogu Eze, who passed on recently.
Following the point of order, the president of the senate, thanked the lawmaker for coming up with the order.
While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, Akpabio said Nigeria had lost an illustrious son, who he said was the “governorship candidate of our party.”
A minute silence was observed in his honour.
Subsequently Sen. Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) raised a point of order citing Order 42 and Order 43 in respect of two road accidents that claimed several lives in the North.
The point of order was stepped down till the next legislative date.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the last lap of the plenary, announced the adjournment of plenary at 2:49 p.m. till Tuesday May 7, at 10 a.m.
He said the one week adjournment was to observe the May 1 public holiday, to mark Workers Day as well as allow for finishing touches on the renovated chamber, particularly in the area of microphone and speaker adjustment and sitting arrangement.