DETAILS emerged on Sunday that the decision of the leadership of the National Assembly to effect changes in the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended) was in conformity with precedence and the tradition of the Assembly to regulate its own procedure as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Sources close to the National Assembly on Sunday said it would be a misnomer to allege forgery in the alterations, as the Rule Book was printed by the management, following the approval for the printing of the new rules ahead of the inauguration.
A source said the process was in conformity with the tradition set in 1999, where the management prepared the rule books for the Senate and the House.

The source said what the management did was more or less a draft of the Rule Book and that the new Senate has the power to adopt it entirely or propose further amendments in the course of the session.

According to the source, an officer in one of the Senate standing committees, the leadership was covered by precedent in printing the 2015 orders.

The Rule Book that has been amended by the different chambers since the commencement of democracy in 1999 were written in 1998 by the management of the National Assembly, based on international best practices and the rule books of national Assemblies of countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, United States and the United Kingdom.

It was gathered that the current leadership felt the need to effect some changes in the rules to make it in conformity with the yearnings of many senators during parliamentary delegations and induction courses.

“Most of the issues reflected in the induction courses held for the senators in April 2015 after the elections were reflected in the amendment.
“The amendment also encapsulated the report of the last Senate Committee on Rules and Business headed by Senator Ita Enang, which dwells on issues of proper representation of senators at committees and the federal character,” the source said.

He wondered why the police were called in to interfere in the affairs of the National Assembly, which is an independent arm of government.
“What was presented to the lawmakers was actually a draft Rule Book and it was meant to be adopted by the Senate.

“The Senate adopted it on June 24, when Senator Bukola Saraki hit the gavel on it. He ruled Senator Kabir Marafa out of order on his question as to the differences between the 2011 Rule book and that of 2015 and Saraki said the Rule Book adopted for the new session is the 2015 order.
“Senator Ike Ekweremadu also said on the floor on June 24 that each Senate comes up with its own rules as seen in the adopted rules of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011,” the source in the National Assembly said.

He added that Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteed the powers of the National Assembly to regulate its own procedure, adding that such powers included the power to change its rules and adopt same on the floor.

Another source close to the National Assembly legal department said the management reflected the yearnings of most senators who had clamoured for equal representation, while also bringing the rule book up to date on voting procedure.

He said the rule book became effective when the chambers adopted it, adding that this was done on June 24.

“With the adoption of the Rule Book on June 24, it would be a misnomer to indicate that there was forgery to the rules. The management only proposed amendments which the Senate adopted as its Rule for 2015.

“The Ita Enang committee in the last Senate also reflected most of the new amendments. Though that Senate did not consider the report, Senator Marafa raised the matter on the floor of the Senate on June 24 and his point of order was ruled out of order by the Senate President, who announced that the 2015 rule has been adopted.

“From 1999 to 2015, there is no time the executive got involved in the Senate standing rules and it appears they are crossing the line. The police cannot tell a lawmaking body the law to make for itself,” he said.

petecoolboy:

“With the adoption of the Rule Book on June 24, it would be a misnomer to indicate that there was forgery to the rules. The management only proposed amendments which the Senate adopted as its Rule for 2015.
“The Ita Enang committee in the last Senate also reflected most of the new amendments. Though that Senate did not consider the report, Senator Marafa raised the matter on the floor of the Senate on June 24 and his point of order was ruled out of order by the Senate President, who announced that the 2015 rule has been adopted.
“From 1999 to 2015, there is no time the executive got involved in the Senate standing rules and it appears they are crossing the line. The police cannot tell a lawmaking body the law to make for itself,” he said.

OP change the title of post to: "Alleged Forgery: Senated Adopted Standing rule on June 24"
so that you can pass the message without one having to read through thoroughly.

Following

What rule was used for the lections of SP and his deputy? The old rule or the adopted ones?

What has been the constitutional procedure for house rules amendment and adoption? Was the constitution followed? Was it contravened the constitutional provisions? That we do something so often doesn't make it legal!

House is independent but subject to regulations when it is derailing. Should we allow the house to tramp on the constitution in the name of independency? No.

Do police have right to investigate anyone under the law if called upon to do so? Yes.

Who has the constitutional right to have the final saying in democracy? COURT.

So, these forgers or alleged ones should go and tell their story in the court. Period.

@petecoolboy, no source to your story, can you kindly do that?

MAGANA YAKARE. ALL THESE GAMES THE APC CUM BUHARI ARE PLAYING ARE AIMED AT REMOVING SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU. THEY WONT WORK, PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO MUMU TERRORIST

No source ; another sign of cowardice and chicanery

petecoolboy:
DETAILS emerged on Sunday that the decision of the leadership of the National Assembly [/b]to effect changes in the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended) was in conformity with precedence and the tradition of the Assembly to regulate its own procedure as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
[b]Sources close to the National Assembly on Sunday said it would be a misnomer to allege forgery in the alterations, as the Rule Book was printed by the management, following the approval for the printing of the new rules ahead of the inauguration.
A source said the process was in conformity with the tradition set in 1999, where the management prepared the rule books for the Senate and the House.

Which national assembly leadership? Saraki, Ikweremadu, the Clerks or David Mark? We all know the authorship of the original rules and details of all amendment to the end of the 7th Senate.

The fact that none of these people is ready to own-up or take responsibility for what happened to the rules between 7th Senate and 8th Senate inaugural sitting confirms evil hands were at work. If they are bold enough to tinker with a standing rules they should be bold enough to face the brunt.

Are you saying the printers of the '2015 forged rules' have the power to insert their own content without being questioned or what?

petecoolboy:

A source said the process was in conformity with the tradition set in 1999, where the management prepared the rule books for the Senate and the House.
The source said what the management did was more or less a draft of the Rule Book and that the new Senate has the power to adopt it entirely or propose further amendments in the course of the session.
According to the source, an officer in one of the Senate standing committees, the leadership was covered by precedent in printing the 2015 orders.

Error! error! The 1999 rules were already in place before the inauguration of 4th Assembly. The rules were prepared at the General Abdusalam organized National Constitutional Conference and not prepared by any NASS leadership. The original draft from NCC was printed as drafted.
Subsequent alterations are all documented; with amendments suggested at plenary, debated and then ratified.

http://www.punchng.com/news/standing-order-used-for-saraki-election-a-fake-say-ex-senators/

It will be suicidal for APC Senators to even debate the 'forged 2015 rules' at all - It does not have any author so is null and void.

APC Senators should come with their unadulterated Standing rules passed down by the last Senate and stick to it from tomorrow.

.[/quote]

It still doesn't make any sense because none of the Senators adopted the rules before it was used on the floor. And who gave those that amended it the power and the go ahead to do it. Or are we saying the NA bureaucrats can just wake up any morning and decide to change rules as they want?
One thing is certain in all these, something is not right.