Senate to adjourn plenary for campaigns next week, says Lawan

• Published date: 18 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

The Senate yesterday said it will adjourn plenary next week to enable lawmakers carry out campaigns ahead of the February 25 and March 11 general election.

The Upper Chamber urged the Executive to provide necessary documentary information to enable it consider and approve the restructuring and securitisation of N23.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances request from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced this on the floor of the Red Chamber during plenary yesterday in Abuja.

The Senate President said the break would enable lawmakers contesting various offices in this year's general election to carry out necessary campaigns in their constituencies.

He said the Senate may possibly close shop this week, if it is able to deal with urgent issues requiring its attention so it does not have to sit next week.

'We are prepared to sit up to Friday this week to attend to all urgent issues requiring our attention, so we don't have to sit next week in view of the forthcoming elections,' Lawan said.

Among the urgent issues Lawan listed was the request by President Muhammadu Buhari for the Senate to approve the restructuring and securitisation of the N23.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances from the CBN.

Senate Leader Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East) had, through a Pint of Order, informed the Upper Chamber that a special committee he chairs was unable to get the relevant information to complete its assigned in the Ways and Means Advances by the CBN.

Lawan said: 'The February 25 election requires that members of the National Assembly are also out there to campaign for their seats or campaign for their political parties, or whoever they choose to campaign for.'

'Therefore...