Reps Member Raises Concern Over Suspension Of Senator Natasha
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon Mansur Manu Soro has stressed the urgent need for a Constitutional amendment on how a member of the National Assembly (Senate and Representatives) can be suspended from functioning.
Soro explained that the need became necessary in order to check the excessive use of power as currently happening in the National Assembly.
Speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Monday on the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Soro noted that the office of Senator, member of the House of Representatives, Governor and President are creation of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Soro further said; “The Constitution provides the process for impeaching of a President or Governor and presiding officers of the National Assembly but did not provide for how a duly elected Senator or member of the House of Representatives can be suspended.
“It only provided for a recall by Constituents of the affected lawmaker which must be carried out through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he noted.
The Lawmaker noted that even though the Constitution gives the National Assembly the right to create its own rules and procedures which are regarded as ‘Standing Rules’, it is however doubtful if the rule of the Senate or House can suspend an office created by the constitution in the light of Section 3 of the Constitution.
Soro also said; “When my Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ahmed Ningi was suspended, I felt so bad because my constituency was denied representation and a voice at the Senate guaranteed by the constitution.
“That development necessitated my preparing a bill for an amendment of the 1999 Constitution to give a clear provision on the way and manner a Senator or member of the House of Representatives can be suspended from legislative functions,” he said.
