The Senate resumed its legislative activities on Tuesday, expressing anger over the treatment of the Nigerian football team, Super Eagles, in distant Libya, and demanding justice for the team.
The team was roughed up at the airport upon arrival in Libya on Sunday ahead of their crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights.
The Nigerian Super Eagles were literally held hostage at the airport upon arrival in Libya (Credit Libya Football Facebook Page)
Firstly, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, issued a statement calling on the disciplinary committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to fully investigate the matter and demanding that those responsible for the action be appropriately sanctioned.
He also demanded that the international football community condemn the treatment of the Super Eagles by the Libyan Federation.
The matter arose on the Senate floor following a motion by Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South), Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports.
The upper house, while adopting the motion, urged the federal government to quickly address the issue.
Do legislators promote the use of hard drugs?
Meanwhile, Kano Senator Kawu Sumaila shocked his colleagues during the plenary session when he alleged that some lawmakers allow the use of hard drugs in their homes and offices.
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Kano South Senator, Kawu Sumaila [PHOTO CREDIT: Sen. S A Kawu Sumaila, OFR Ph.D ]He also stated that he knew important politicians who supported drug traffickers in the illegal business.
The senator made the accusations during the debate on the bill to create the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
Sumaila challenged his colleagues to swear on the Quran or Bible that they do not encourage drug abuse, especially during campaigns.
The senator also recommended that politicians be drug tested before they participate in elections and assume political office.
The alleged Akpabio impeachment saga
On Wednesday, an allegation of plotting to remove Mr Akpabio came to light.
The Order Paper newspaper reported on the alleged plot and the presence of State Security Service (SSS) agents at the National Assembly in connection with it.
Akpabio dismissed the reports during the plenary session, saying the Senate was united.
Akpabio subsequently ordered the Senate Special Duties Committee to investigate the allegation.
Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate.
He asked the committee to report its findings to the Senate within 24 hours.
On Thursday, senators approved a vote of confidence in Mr Akpabio.
The vote of confidence came following a motion moved by Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) during plenary.
In the motion, Ningi said people outside the National Assembly sponsored speculation that Akpabio would be removed to blackmail the Senate into taking action against its president. He did not name the alleged sponsors.
Likewise, the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on National Assembly (Senate) Affairs, dismissed the alleged plot to remove the Senate President.
Adviser Basheer Lado said the presidency was committed to ensuring mutual understanding between the National Assembly and the federal government.
On Friday, the SSS arrested Edna Ulaeto, the Order Paper reporter who reported the story.
Mrs Ulaeto was released the same day following the intervention of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), led by PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed.
RMAFC commissioner candidates get Senate nod
During the week, the Senate confirmed 21 persons nominated by President Tinubu to be commissioners of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The nominees were first approved by the Committee of the Whole, which considered the report of its National Planning and Economic Affairs Committee, chaired by Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP, Kebbi).
The new commissioners are Linda Nkechi Oti (Abia), Akpan Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Enefe Ekene (Anambra), Steve Ugba (Benue), Eyonsa Whiley (Cross River), Aruviere Egharhevwe (Delta) and Nduka Awuregu (Ebonyi).
Others are Victor Ebogbe (Edo), Wumi Ogunlola (Ekiti), Ozo Obodougo (Enugu), Kabir Mashi (Katsina), Adamu Fanda (Kano), Kunle Wright (Lagos), Almakura Abdulkadir (Nasarawa), Bako Shetima (Niger) and Amosun Akintoye (Ogun).
Nathaniel Adejutelegan (Ondo), Saad Bello Ibrahim (Plateau), Aji Anuluri (Yobe), Bello Rabiu and Garba (Zamfara) were also confirmed.
New helmsman of the oil committee
Senate President Akpabio has appointed Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).
Sumaila replaced Ifeanyi Ubah, the Anambra South senator who died in a London hospital in July.
Shortly after his appointment during Wednesday's plenary session, the new president lamented the state of Nigeria's oil industry and called for change.
Senators urge the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge that connects three northern states
The Senate on Thursday asked the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently reconstruct the collapsed Zungeru Bridge in Niger State.
The upper house ordered the ministry to implement the reconstruction project with contingency funds domiciled in the ministerial allocation and the general vote of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The resolutions were adopted following a motion sponsored by Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) during the plenary session.
Presenting his motion, Musa said the Zungeru Bridge had collapsed and vehicles and commuters are now using a railway track.
The senator pointed out that the alternative route is also on the verge of collapse due to the diversion of vehicles that travel along it.
He lamented that the situation has restricted economic activities in Niger State and increased insecurity.