Senate adjourns over lack of quorum

The senate on Tuesday adjourned over a low turnout of lawmakers.

Philip Aduda, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), moved a motion for adjournment citing order 10 (3) which states that the lawmakers could not sit if they do not form a quorum.

Thirty-eight senators are required to form quorum in the upper legislative chamber.

Aduda explained that the chamber was “empty” because his colleagues have gone on oversight functions.

“We are less than 10, Mr President I want to move that since we have not former 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,” he said.

“On that note the senate may wish to extend the period of oversight functions if the senate so wish by another week till Tuesday November 20.”

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, seconded the motion but disagreed with Aduda on the number of senators in the chamber.

“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,” he said.

“Just for the record we are not less than 10 but less than 20.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the reports of the committees from their oversight functions are important.

“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,” Saraki said.

“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).”

The senate adopted the motion after it put to a voice vote by Saraki. Thereafter, it adjourned to November 20.