The Senate has given autonomy to local government authority by voting unanimously for the bill.
Bill number one was on Local Government Financial Autonomy, with 92 senators voting yes and two no.
The bill seek “to abrogate the State and Joint Local Government Account and provide for Special Account into which shall be paid all allocations due to local government of the states”
The second bill on Local Government Administrative Autonomy was also passed.
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The bill seek to establish local government as a tier of government and guarantee their democratic existence and tenure.
Total number of votes for the bill was 88, four voted against the bill while three abstained.
The Senate also passed the bill asking for financial independence for state House of Assembly and State judiciary. 83 voted for it and one voted against it.
Change of name for Barikin Ladi local government rejected
Attempt to change the name of Barikin Ladi local government of Plateau State failed as 67 senators voted for it while 26 voted against it. The bill attempted to change the name to a local name but was resisted.
However, similar process to change names of other local governments scaled through.
Provisions for changing names of Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Kunchi, Egbado North Egbado South , Atigbo and Obia/ Akpor local governments were okayed.
Senators reject power to override President
The Senate failed to empower the legislature to override the President on certain issues.
For Bill 13 seeking to provide “for the procedure for passing a Constitution Alteration Bill where President withhold assent” 79 senators voted which fell short of the required 88 votes.
Also, Bill 14 seeking to provide the procedure for overriding executive veto in respect of money bill failed. 44 voted for and 39 against.
The lawmakers refused to pass the bill providing for procedure for removing Presiding officers of the legislature and also provision for pensions for presiding Officers at the National Assembly.
Senate rejects Judiciary Bills
Bills seeking reformation in the judiciary failed to pass as majority of bill pertaining to the arm of government were rejected.
For the bill to establish Federal Revenue Court, 45 voted yes, 38 voted no. For the bill seeking a timeline for determination of criminal cases 49 voted for and 31 voted against while a bill seeking legalizing virtual court proceedings only 62 voted and 24 voted against.
Senate opposes women empowerment bills
Efforts and campaign for women political emancipation met a brickwall in the Senate which rejected the two major bill in the amendment.
Bill 35 canvassing special seats for women in legislative houses failed as 30 senators voted for it and 58 voted against while 3 abstained.
The other is Bill 38 which seeks Affirmative action for women was also rejected. 34 voted for and 53 voted against it while 3 abstained.
