BEVERLY HILLS, March 17, (THEWILL) – The Senate is currently holding an emergency closed session on a bill that seeks to create the Armed Forces Service Commission.
The development came after an uproar over the bill during plenary on Tuesday.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia-South), seeks among others, the appointment of service chiefs in line with Federal Character based on the recommendations of members of the commission.
Nine senators spoke in favour of the bill while six were against it during a debate that followed Abaribe’s presentation.
Those who supported the proposed law are the Leader of the Senate, Abdullahi Yahaya; the Deputy Minority leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, Opeyemi Bamidele; Istifanus Gyang, Chukwuka Utazi; and James Manager.
The senators who wanted the bill killed immediately were Francis Alimikhena, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Adamu Aliero, Adamu Abdullahi, Mohammed Bulkachuwa and Danjuma Goje.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who called for a voice vote ruled in favour of those who opposed the bill in what appeared to be a controversial decision.
Abaribe raised a point of order to challenge Lawan’s ruling and called for a division whereby each senator would vote individually.
Lawan opposed Abaribe and his action led to an uproar, forcing the Senate into an emergency closed session.
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