The Nigerian Senate has amended its order paper to hold plenary sessions from 11 am to 3 pm, aligning its schedule with the House of Representatives. This decision followed a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, proposing the adjustment of the Senate’s sitting time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from the current 10 am to 11 am.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio indicated that the adjustment was urgent to synchronize with the House of Representatives. However, the immediate past Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, disagreed, suggesting that the earlier 10 am start time was more productive. Lawan argued that senators have more energy and clarity in the morning, and working from 10 am to 2 pm would be more efficient. He noted that the 11 am start time was initially implemented during his tenure due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Akpabio countered by explaining that the Senate had adopted the 11 am start time as a tradition and that the adjustment would legalize this practice. He emphasized that the new schedule does not require the Senate to sit until 3 pm if business concludes earlier, allowing time for committee meetings and other legislative duties.
In other developments, the Senate confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominee, Hashimu Argungu (rtd), as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Akpabio urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to stop conflicting with the PSC over recruitment issues, emphasizing the need for cooperation to enhance national security. He noted that such conflicts had delayed the recruitment of an additional 20,000 officers into the Nigerian Police Force.
Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed (Jigawa East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, presented the committee’s report on the confirmation of the PSC nominees. He urged the Senate to consider the nominations of Hashimu Argungu as Chairman, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary, and Taiwo Lakanu as a member, noting that their confirmation would allow the resumption of the police recruitment exercise.
