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The National Assembly will on Tuesday reconvene to discuss the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, and the swearing-in of Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday.
It was learnt through a principal officer in the upper chamber of the assembly, the Senate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents on Saturday that the leadership of both chambers would have a crucial meeting today (Sunday) to deliberate on the agenda for the emergency session.
Newsmen, however, learnt that the sudden decision of the National Assembly leadership to reconvene might not be unconnected with the public outcry that greeted Buhari’s suspension of Onnoghen on Friday.
The source said, “The leadership of the two chambers has agreed to reconvene on Tuesday. They will, however, hold a crucial meeting in the private residence of the Senate President on Sunday evening (today).
“The meeting will set agenda for the emergency session they plan for Tuesday. I cannot confirm whether the impeachment of the President will form part of the agenda but I can assure you that a drastic decision will be taken against him.”
The lawmakers had, during Thursday’s plenary, adjourned sitting until February 19, which will be after the presidential and National Assembly elections.
-House of Reps keep mum over Assembly reconvening -
At the House of Representatives, the lawmakers had scheduled Tuesday for the passage of the 2019 Appropriation Bill second reading and the New Minimum Wage BiII.
Several members, who were contacted on Saturday either declined to speak or asked one of our correspondents to wait for the turn of events on Tuesday.
A lawmaker from Lagos State, who did not want to be named, declined to speak on the telephone except our correspondent could meet with him during the week.
Another lawmaker, Mr Chinda Ogundu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, said, “Wait till Tuesday.”
It was learnt through a principal officer in the upper chamber of the assembly, the Senate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents on Saturday that the leadership of both chambers would have a crucial meeting today (Sunday) to deliberate on the agenda for the emergency session.
Newsmen, however, learnt that the sudden decision of the National Assembly leadership to reconvene might not be unconnected with the public outcry that greeted Buhari’s suspension of Onnoghen on Friday.
The source said, “The leadership of the two chambers has agreed to reconvene on Tuesday. They will, however, hold a crucial meeting in the private residence of the Senate President on Sunday evening (today).
“The meeting will set agenda for the emergency session they plan for Tuesday. I cannot confirm whether the impeachment of the President will form part of the agenda but I can assure you that a drastic decision will be taken against him.”
The lawmakers had, during Thursday’s plenary, adjourned sitting until February 19, which will be after the presidential and National Assembly elections.
-House of Reps keep mum over Assembly reconvening -
At the House of Representatives, the lawmakers had scheduled Tuesday for the passage of the 2019 Appropriation Bill second reading and the New Minimum Wage BiII.
Several members, who were contacted on Saturday either declined to speak or asked one of our correspondents to wait for the turn of events on Tuesday.
A lawmaker from Lagos State, who did not want to be named, declined to speak on the telephone except our correspondent could meet with him during the week.
Another lawmaker, Mr Chinda Ogundu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, said, “Wait till Tuesday.”
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