Akpabio’s apology to Natasha over his “nightclub” gaffe, minimum wage approval and a senator’s defection from LP to APC are major happenings on the floor of the Senate today.
- Senate passes minimum wage bill
The Senate has passed the national minimum wage bill. The bill which was presented in the floor of the Senate at today’s plenary, immediately passed second and third reading. In his lead debate on the executive bill, leader of the senate, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) noted that the proposed increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 is a short-term measure to mitigate the difficult economic situation in the country. He added that the wage will be reviewed every three years instead of five in the extant law now being replaced.
- Senate passes bill to enable IGP remain in office until end of tenure
The senate has passed a bill which seeks to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment. The executive bill forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu yesterday in a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was first presented for first reading, then scaled second reading and was read the third time and passed.
- Akpabio apologises to Natasha over “nightclub” gaffe
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has apologised to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi central), over his nightclub comment, stating that he would never deliberately denigrate a woman. Akpabio had last Thursday shunned Natasha while she attempted to speak without being invited to during his speech. Apologising to her during the day’s plenary, he mentioned that his phone had been overwhelmed with insults regarding the issue.
- LP Senator defects to APC
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi (LP, Imo east) has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Onyewuchi’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. The Governor of Imo State and chair of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma was present in the chamber when the letter was read. According to Onyewuchi, his defection was due to the intractable division and crisis in the Labour Party that sponsored his election into the senate. Thereafter, Akpabio directed the sergeant-at-arms to hand Onyewuchi a new seat on the aisle of the majority lawmakers.
- Confirmation of nominees
The senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr Bello Olatunji as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Comsumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This is as it also confirmed the nomination of Dr. Jobson Eseodion Ewalefoh as Director General Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
- Senate passes ₦6.2trn 2024 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill
The Senate has approved a ₦6.2 trillion amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Act, increasing the 2024 budget from ₦28.7 trillion to ₦35.055 trillion. The amendment is based on a request by President Bola Tinubu contained in a letter to the lawmakers. The bill being read the first and second time and referred to the committee on Appropriations for further legislative action. The 2024 Appropriation Act (Amendment) bill seeks to among others, make available additional funds for infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country and to meet other recurrent expenditure requirements, such as the minimum wage increase necessary for effective governance of the country.
- Adjournment for annual recess
The senate has adjourned its plenary sittings till Tuesday. September 17th, 2024 to enable them embark on their annual recess and focus on other legislave activities.
BILLS CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in Senate plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031
