NASS Inauguration: — All is set for the inauguration of the 10th session of the National Assembly.
The inauguration follows the end of the ninth session of the Senate and the House of Representatives (2019 to 2023) and the proclamation of the new assembly (2023-2027) by the country’s president.
Both chambers held their valedictory sessions for the last assembly on Wednesday and Saturday respectively ahead of 11 June when their four-year tenure officially terminates.
Today’s inaugural ceremonies, which commence at 10 a.m., have two major components, namely the swearing in of the lawmakers-elect and the election of the presiding officers of the two chambers.
The Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Tambawal, will conduct the proceedings in both chambers. Traditionally, the CNA would conclude the proceedings in the Senate and then move over to the House to perform the same role.
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However, the proceedings could hold simultaneously in both chambers since the House Standing Order now provides that the deputy CNA “shall preside over the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker” in the absence of the CNA.
Mr Gbajabiamila had been re-elected on 25 February to represent Surulere 1 Federal constituency of Lagos State for the sixth time until his appointment a few days ago.
The lawmakers were elected during the 25 February National Assembly elections though a few others were returned during subsequent supplementary elections on 15 April.
The election of the four presiding officers is the major attraction in the entire event.
At the last count, there are four aspirants still in the race for senate president; all ranking lawmakers and members of the ruling APC. They are Godswill Akpabio, a former minority leader of the senate, minister and former governor of Akwa Ibom; Abdulaziz Yari, a former member of the House of Representatives and former governor of Zamfara State; Orji Kalu, former chief whip of the ninth senate, former member of Third Republic House of Representatives and former governor of Abia State; and a former member of the House of Representatives and senator-elect for Imo West, Osita Izubaso.
Kano North senator-elect and former Senate Appropriation Committee chairman, Barau Jibrin, and the senator-elect for Niger East, Sani Musa are candidates for the seat of deputy senate president.
There are reports, however, that Messrs Kalu and Izunaso have stepped down for Mr Akpabio while Mr Musa has quit the race to back Mr Jibrin.
![Members of House of Representatives during a session in the green chamber. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of House of Reps.]](https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2023/05/House-of-Reps.jpg)
In the House, the candidates are Idris Wase, the deputy speaker of the ninth House from Plateau State; a former chairman of Land Transport Committee of the House, Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State; former Appropriation Committee chair, Muktar Betara from Borno State and former chairman of committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, also from Plateau State.
Also in the race are former chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Aminu Jaji from Zamfara State; ex-Water Resource Committee Chairman, Sada Soli from Katsina State, and Miriam Onuoha, the only female aspirant, from Imo State.
Former House Leader Alhassan Doguwa, Makki Yalleman and Abdulraheem Olawuyi, who are all APC lawmakers, have since dropped out of the race to back Mr Abbas, the anointed candidate of Mr Tinubu and the APC leadership. Ditto for Messrs Betara and Gagdi.
There are indications that more aspirants will take that route before the actual voting commences on the floor as a result of the ongoing horse-trading and negotiations.
For the deputy speakership position, those in the race are the former spokesperson of the House, Ben Kalu from Abia State, Francis Waive from Delta and another lawmaker, Musliu Akinremi. But it appears only Mr Kalu, the APC anointed candidate, remains in the race
Nevertheless, whoever emerges at the end of the contest today will be the ninth substantive senate president and the eight substantive speaker in the current Fourth Republic.
PulseNets will bring you the live updates of the ceremonies from both chambers. Also follow us on our Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels.
Members-elect has been sworn in by the new speaker of the 10th Assembly, Tajudeen Abbas. The members are currently presenting their certificates to Mr Abbas as they exchange pleasantries and congratulatory encomiums with the new speaker and his deputy, Mr Kalu one after the other.
Members-elect of the House are being sworn in by the Clerk.
Mr Gbajabiamila is speaking and he congratulates Mr Abbas, He hands over documents to the new speaker as his handover notes and expresses hope that he (Mr Abbas) will do well and continue from where he left.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal, and other members of the management of the Assembly announce their exit from the chamber having concluded their assignment of conducting the proceedings of the House of Representatives on its first day.
Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, the SGF, George Akume, Edo Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaib, former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and others take a group photograph with Messrs Abbas and Kalu.
Messrs Kalu and Abbas take a group picture with their wives, the CNA and others.
Mr Kalu has just taken the oath of allegiance, oath of the membership of the House of Representative and oath of the deputy speakership of the House of Representatives. he signs the oath of office.
Mr Kalu is about to take the oath of office having been elected unopposed.
Jimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State noninates Benjamin Kalu for the deputy speakership seat and seconded by Khadijat Buaka Abba Ibrahim representing Damaturu federal constituency of Yobe State.. Mr Kalu accepted his nomination.
Mr Abbas, the newly sworn-in speaker has been presented with the certificate and gavel, signifying his authority as the speaker of the 10th Assembly.
The chants and trills of Mr Speaker are sung by members on the floor of the House.
The process of electing the deputy speaker commences.
Abbas takes his seat as the speaker of the House after he was given documents, including the Standing Order and the gavel to perform his duty.
Mr Abbas is also accompanied by his wife.
Mr Abbas moved to the seat of the Speaker accompanied by lawmakers-elect who nominated him for the position, Alhassan Doguwa and Nnodim Nnaji.
The new speaker is about taking the oath of office administered by the CNA.
Colleagues congratulate Mr Abbas.
Result:
The clerk announced the result of the Speakership election as follows
Total number of votes cast – 359
Aminu Jaji – 3 votes
Idris Wase – 3 votes
Tajudeen Abbas – 353
In the House of Representatives, the Clerk announced that the voting has ended.
Sani Jaji, one of the candidates, votes for himself.
A brief jubilation erupted in the chamber of the Hours of Representatives after the candidate of the APC, Tajudeen Abbas crossed the winning landmark in the ongoing speaker election.
Senate adjourns plenary to tomorrow 10am
Senator Jirbrin move a motion to adjourn plenary to Wednesday, 14, June 2023.
Senator Ali Ndume seconded the motion.
Akpabio invites deputy senate president, Barau Jibrin, to move a motion for the adjournment of today’s plenary. The Senate will resume sitting on Wednesday by 10 a.m. , the senate president said.
“We ought to have had more women here but we don’t. We will definitely compensate more women. We will pay attention to insecurity and work with the executives to address the insecurity bedeviling the country,” Mr Akpabio says
Akpabio salutes Ahmad Lawan’s leadership of the 9th Senate.
We will make laws that will move forward and encourage foreign direct investments in the country – Akpabio
Hesays “We will not waste resources. We will put members of the executives on their toes”
Senator Akpabio gives first speech as President of the 10th Senate.
He promised to be there for all.
He extends hands of fellowship to Senator Yari
Tajudeen Abbas was nominated by former House Leader, Alhassan Doguwa from Kano while Nnodim Nnaji from Enugu seconded the nomination.
Former Speaker,Femi Gbajabiamila, votes for Tajudeen Abbas.
The voting in the House is being conducted on a state by state basis and in alphabetical order.
Outgoing Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, is also present. Mr Gbajabiamila was recently named the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu and therefore he is not returning to the House.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaib, admitted to the chamber of the House of Representatives, Mr Shaib was a member of the House.
Voting is in progress in the House of Representatives. There are three nominees for the speakership position – the former deputy speaker, Idris Wase, from Plateau State, Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Sani Jaji from Zamfara State. Mr Abbas is the preferred candidate of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
Speakership aspirants, Miariam Onuoha, votes for Tajudeen Abbas.
Voice voting is being used to elect the Speaker.
Voting has commenced for the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In the House of Representatives, the inauguration has commenced. Roll call is being taken.
Akpabio and Jibrin are joined by their wives and senators who nominated them and the Clerk and deputy clerk to the National Assembly for a group picture.
The new DSP is given documents with which he will perform his duty.
Like Akpabio, the new deputy senate president is taking three oaths – oath of allegiance, oath of membership of the senate and oath of the office of the deputy senate president. He signs the oath register.
Senator Jibrin is flanked by Dave Umahi and Sani Mustapha who nominated him as well as Senator Akpabio.
Senator Barau Jibrin takes oath of office.
Senator Barau Jibrin is being congratulated by coleagues.
The Clerk declared Senator Jibrin Barau as DSP since there are no other nominations.
Clerk asks if there are further nominations but none. The Clerk declared nominations closed.
Senator Jibrin accepts his nomination as deputy senate president.
Sani Mustapha Kwara Central seconds the nomination of Senator Jibrin.
Former Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi nominated Barau Jibrin (Kano North). Mr Umahi reads a brief citation of Mr Jibrin.
Nomination of the deputy senate president begins.
Akpabio takes his seat as President of the 1oth Senate. He has been handed the Senate Standing Order, the gavel and other tools for presiding over the upper chamber.
Akpabio has just signed the three oaths.
Mr Akpabio has just taken three oaths – Oath of allegiance, oath of the membership of the National Assembly and oath of the Office of the Senate President
Akpabio is flanked by Senators Ali Ndume and Adeola Olamilekan as he takes the oath of office. Both senators nominated him.
Senator Akpabio currently taking the oath of office administered by the Clerk.
Senator Akpabio has now mounted the seat of the Senate President about to be sworn in by the Clerk.
Mr Akpabio’s colleagues are seen congratulating him for his victory .
Total number of votes cast 109
Abdulaziz Yari – 46 votes
Goodwill Akpabio – 63 votes
Senator Akpabio declared President of the 10th Senate by the CLerk to the National Assembly.
Senate Presidents since 1999
Evan Enwerem (South-east) June 1999 – November 1999
Chuba Okadigbo (South-east) November 1999 – August 2000
John Azuta-Mbata (South-south) Senate President Pro-tempore Aug 8–10, 2000
Anyim Pius Anyim (South-east) August 2000 – June 2003
Adolphus Wabara (South-east) June 2003 – April 2005
Ken Nnamani (South-east) April 2005 – June 2007
David Mark (North-central) June 2007 – June 2011
David Mark (North-central) June 2011 – June 2015
Bukola Saraki (North-central) June 2015 – June 2019
Ahmad Lawan (North-east) June 2019 – June 2023
Past Deputy Senate Presidents (4th Highest office in Nigeria)
Haruna Abubakar (North-central) June – August 2000
Ibrahim Mantu (North-central) August 2000 – June 2003
Ibrahim Mantu (North-central) June 2003 – June 2007
Ike Ekweremadu (South-east) June 2007 – June 2011
Ike Ekweremadu (South-east) June 2011 – June 2015
Ike Ekweremadu (South-east) June 2015 – June 2019
Ovie Omo-Agege June 2019 – June 2023
Past Speakers of the House of Reps
Salisu Buhari (North-west) June 1999 – July 1999
Ghali Umar’Naaba (North-west) July 1999 – June 2003
Aminu Masari (North-west) June 2003 – June 2007
Patricia Etteh (South-west) June 2007 – October 2007
Terngu Tsegba (North Central) Speaker Pro Tempore Oct 30-Nov 1
Dimeji Bankole (South-west) November 2007 – June 2011
Aminu Tambuwal (North-west) June 2011 – June 2015
Yakubu Dogara (North-east) June 2015 – June 2019
Femi Gbajabiamila (South-west) June 2019 – June 2023
Past Deputy Speakers
Chibudom Nwuche (South-south) June 1999 – June 2003
Austin Opara (South-south) June 2003 – June 2007
Babangida Nguroje (North-east) June 2007 – October 2007
Usman Nafada (North-east) November 2007 – June 2011
Emeka Ihedioha (South-east) June 2011 – June 2015
Yusuf Lasun (South-west) June 2015 – June 2019
Idris Wase (North-central) June 2019 – June 2023
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