By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
The Senate has dismissed reports claiming that recent adjustments to its Standing Orders were reversed on the directive of the Presidency, describing the account as false and an attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Jackson Udom, Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, the chamber said the narrative was untrue and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN, clarified that the only rescinded amendment concerned the timing of the oath of allegiance and membership. He explained that Tuesday’s adjustment required senators to be sworn in before voting for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, a departure from the previous practice.
Adegbomire said the Senate reverted to the old procedure after members noted that the Constitution uses the word “may,” adding that the change was purely procedural and not tied to eligibility requirements for contesting leadership positions.
The reversal was captured in Thursday’s Order Paper under the caption “Recession and Recommittal of Order 2(2) and Order 3(1),” with the Senate noting that the earlier amendment could create constitutional inconsistencies, particularly with Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.
The chamber emphasized that the Standing Orders must remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, parliamentary conventions, and established legislative practice.
