The office of Chief Whip, as well as Minority Whips and their Deputies are familiar terms for any close observer of politics or more specifically, the parliament. How many Nigerians however, know the functions of the holders of these offices in the National Assembly?
This edition of Parliament Meme is an exposition on the duties and functions of the Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, as well as the Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip in both chambers of the Nigerian National Assembly
READ ALSO: Gbajabiamila, Wase sponsored 21% of bills by Reps Principal Officers | National Assembly Scorecard
SENATE CHIEF WHIP
There shall be a Chief Whip of the Senate who shall be a Senator nominated from the party with the highest number of seats in the Senate.
He/She shall:
- Maintain order and decorum in the Senate;
- Manage the affairs of his party during meetings;
- Organise the party members in divisions and debates;
- Arrange the business of the party on the floor of the Senate.
DEPUTY SENATE CHIEF WHIP
There shall be a Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, who shall be a Senator nominated from the party with the highest number of seats in the Senate. The Deputy Chief Whip
- assists the Chief Whip in the performance of his/her function and
- acts for the Chief Whip in his/her absence.
READ ALSO: Principal Officers sponsored 10% of total Senate Bills | National Assembly Scorecard
THE SENATE MINORITY WHIP
There shall be a Minority Whip of the Senate who shall be a Senator nominated from among the minority parties in the Senate. He/She
- manages the affairs of his/her party during meetings
- organise Minority Party members in divisions and debates; and
- arranges the business of the minority parties on the floor of the Senate.
DEPUTY SENATE MINORITY WHIP
There shall be a Deputy Minority Whip who shall be a Senator nominated from the Minority Parties in the Senate. The Deputy Minority Whip shall:
- Assist the Minority Whip in the performance of his/her functions; and
- Act for the Minority Whip in his/her absence.
READ ALSO: 64% of bills by Senators stagnated at first reading | National Assembly Scorecard
CHIEF WHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Whip of the House shall be a lawmaker nominated from among members of the majority party in the House.
His/her functions shall be to, in conjunction with other officers, ensure the attendance of Members, order, decorum and discipline in the House.
He/she is also to organise members of his party in debates and divisions, and persuade them on voting, one way or the other.
DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Deputy House Whip shall be a Member nominated from among the members of the majority party in the House. Duties include:
- Assisting the Whip of the House in the performance of his/her functions
- Deputising for the Whip in his/her absence, as well as
- Performing any other function as may be assigned to him/her.
READ ALSO: 92% of Female Reps sponsored one bill or more | National Assembly Scorecard
HOUSE MINORITY WHIP
In conjunction with other officers, ensure the attendance of Members of the minority parties, order, decorum and discipline in the House.
Also organise Minority Party members in debates and divisions, and persuade them on voting one way or the other.
DEPUTY HOUSE MINORITY WHIP
The functions of the Deputy Minority Whip shall be to assist the Minority Whip in the performance of his/her functions
Also perform such other functions as the Speaker and the Minority Whip may from time to time assign to him/her.
READ ALSO: 59.5% of Reps bills stagnated for three years | National Assembly Scorecard
Parliament Meme is a public service programme by OrderPaper Nigeria designed to break down the esoteric terminologies of the legislature and how the institution of parliament generally functions.
