APRIL 28TH, 2018 NEWSLETTER.

OFFICE OF THE

SENATE PRESIDENT
DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI (CON)
SENATE PRESIDENT VISITS FEMALE CHAMBER
STAFF INJURED DURING SENATE INVASION
On Sunday, April
22nd, the President
of the Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, visited the
home of Mrs. Sandra
Davou, a chamber
staff of the National
Assembly, who was
injured in last
Wednesday’s attack
on the Senate
Chambers.
SENATE PRESIDENT PINS POLICE DETAIL,
ANTHONY GABRIEL, WITH NEW RANK
On Monday,
April 23rd, the
President of the
Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, pinned
Anthony Gabriel,
one of his Police
Details with his
new rank of
Inspector.
SENATE PRESIDENT THANKS CHAMBER
S TA F F F O R GA L L A N T RY D U R I N G
SENATE INVASION
On Tuesday, April 24th, following an Executive Session, the
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, commended
the Chamber Staff of the National Assembly for the gallantry and
courage during last Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate by
sponsored thugs.

The President of the Senate said: “My Distinguished colleagues and I

would like to thank the Chamber Staff for their gallantry courage
during the invasion of the Senate Chamber on Wednesday, 18th
April 2018.We want to thank you immensely, particularly two of
your colleagues, Chuks and Sandra, who have been admitted due to

“
the invasion — we are happy to see them recovering and we wish
them a speedy recovery.
Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
“Weus, also wantlegislative
that our to thank duty
everybody for the
to Nigeria androle
herthat they must
people, played be in
defending
uppermostthein democracy
our minds. in Wethe country.We
must not allowhave also resolved
the upcoming 2019to
tighten the to
elections security of the our
overshadow National Assembly
work for and that
the people we elected
need theus co-
-
operation
or distractof us
all from
members
that of the public
which we areto mandated
please co-operate
to do bywith theus
asconstitution
we do this.” and the trust reposed in us by the people. This is my
appeal: it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the
Thelegislative
President agenda
of theandSenate
the larger
also work of governance.
announced that theWe have
National
begun a will
Assembly goodbething with thea economic
constituting core ofofour
joint committee theagenda;
Senate andlet us
the
see it of
House to Representatives
its proper conclusion. It would Wednesday’s
to investigate be most insensitive to the
invasion. The
needs of the
Committee willpeople
also beoftasked
this country if we were
with coming to do
up with otherwise.
recommendations
that will ensure that such security breaches do not reoccur in both
the Senate and the House.
SENATE PRESIDENT CONVENES STAKEHOLDER SESSION
ON EDUCATION
On Tuesday,
April 24th, the
President of
the Senate,
Dr. Abubakar

“ Bukola Saraki
met with
Stakeholders
on Education
Reform led by
former
Minister of
Youth & Sport,
Mallam Bolaji
Abdullahi.
(NEXT PAGE)
HIGHLIGHTS “10 MILLION OUT-OF-SCHOOL
“…the sobering reality is that access to
education has been challenged in this
country. Enrollment rates are a special
concern… 10 million out-of-school children
and some of these are a special concern
for us.”
60% ARE GIRLS
COMMENTS BY THE “46 million are not enrolled, which is a
“ SANCTIONS & INCENTIVES
“Is there any new legislation that can help us
with the issue of access? Is there any
incentive that we can provide that will ensure
that parents ensure that their children do go
to school in every part of the country? We
need to look into sanctions and incentives.
These are what I see as quick wins that we
can deliver on in a short amount of time.”

PRESIDENT OF THE
shame in the 21st Century, that such a
large percentage of our children have ON FUNDING
been kept out of the loop of education.
SENATE AT THE Particularly, girls account for a high "We have been pushing for
STAKEHOLDER SESSION number, up to 60% of those that are out of
private sector funding for
school…”
ON EDUCATION infrastructure. To release more
WHO IS TO BLAME
“Is it the curriculum that fails to adequately money for education and
prepare our youth to realize their
potentials? Is it the poor quality of
healthcare. Let the private
instructional materials or laboratories that sector take on some of these
are ill-equipped? Is it the problem of
unqualified teachers and other personnel infrastructural issues, so that
and limited provisions? Or does the blame
lie with policy making and regulators in government can take care of
the education sector.”
education and healthcare…
TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2018
 The letter stated that the President had granted “anticipatory
approval for the release of $496,374,470” in the expectation that
the National Assembly will have no objection to the purchase of
these highly specialized aircraft.

“It will be recalled that for a number of years, Nigeria has been in
discussions with the United States government for the purchase of
Super Tucano aircraft under a direct government-to-government
arrangement. Recently, approval was granted by the United States
Government but with a deadline, within which part payment must be
made otherwise the contract relapses.

SENATE PRESIDENT READS

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION FROM
“
“I am therefore writing seeking approval of the Senate for the sum
of $496,374,470 (equivalent to N151, 394, 421,035) to be included
in the 2018 Appropriation Bill which the National Assembly is
currently finalizing. The balance for the requirement for critical
operational equipment is still being collated from the different
PRESIDENT ON PURCHASE OF security services and will be presented in the form of a
$496MILLION HELICOPTERS supplementary appropriation Bill in due cause.

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on
Wednesda y, Marc h 25t h 2018, read an Executive
Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari, on the
purchase of of Super Tucano aircraft under a direct government-
to-government arrangement.
The Honourable Minister for Defense and other appropriate officers
will be available to provide further details as may be required.
While thanking the Distinguished Senate for the usual cooperation,
please accept Mr. President the assurances of my highest regards.
SENATE SUMMONS IGP OVER BENUE KILLINGS
On Wednesday, April 25th, the Senate resolved to invite the IG of
Police, Ibrahim Idris, to brief the plenary in the Committee of the
Whole, over the recent killings in Benue, and the arrest of Senator
Dino Melaye.

Speaking after the Senate Resolution on the matter, the President of

the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said: “I know that it is at
times like these that it is very difficult to speak the truth. Because
these violations and security challenges affects all of us. This affects

“
us, not only in this institution, but in this democracy. These actions
are a threat.
Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
us, that
“These our legislative
excesses duty to Nigeria
must be contained and herofpeople,
in the interest must
all of us. Webe are
uppermost
about to startinelections
our minds.
and We mustexcesses
if these not allowof the upcoming
those who are2019
meant
toelections to overshadow
be responsible our work
for providing law for
andthe people
order arethat
not elected us - it
contained,
or be
will distract us from
a great thatinwhich
concern we are Therefore,
this country. mandated to do who
those by the are
constitution and the trust reposed in us by the
directly responsible need to take up that responsibility. people. This is my
appeal: it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
“Today, I was talking to Senator Akume about what happened in
begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us
Benue State and he will be here tomorrow to take the issue.
see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the
Therefore, it is important for the IGP to come and brief us about the
needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise.
security challenges in Benue and the arrest so that we can restore
sanity once and for all,” he said.
SENATE PRESIDENT, WIFE, ATTEND 92ND BIRTHDAY
COMMEMORATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH
On Tuesday,
April 24th, the
President of the
Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola

“
Saraki and his
wife, H.E. Toyin
Saraki, joined
British High
Commissioner,
Paul T.
Arkwright, at his
home for the
birthday
celebration of
Queen Elizabeth.
 Following the debate, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar
Bukola Saraki, said: “One of the concerns we have, as Senator
Shehu Sani said, are the security concerns in our country.

“I am sure that you will all remember that in August 2017, I got the
message from the U.S. Ambassador, that a Congressional
delegation from the United States wanted to visit us because they
had received a request from President Trump to approve the
payment of the Tucano helicopters — but they needed Congressional
approval. Congress wanted to come to Nigeria to speak with their
counterparts.

SENATE DEBATES
CONSTITUTIONALITY OF
“
“I led the team which constituted of Distinguished Senators and
members of the House of Representatives and we met with the
members of Congress on this issue. We were aware at that time of
these issues. 

‘ANTICIPATORY APPROVAL’ OF
$496MILLION TUCANO AIRCRAFT
On Thursday, April 26th, the Senate debated the
constitutionality and adherence to due process of
President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘anticipator y
approval’ for the purchase of the $496million Tucson
helicopters.
“Therefore, between September and February with all due respect,
there was ample time for the Executive to have carried us along on
this issue. There are arguments for and against and those arguments
are valid. I do not want us to break it down into bipartisan issues,
these are not partisan issues,” the President of the Senate said.
The Senate thereafter resolved to forward the request to the
Committee on Judiciary. The Committee is expected to submit its
report on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018.
SECURIT Y: SENATE SUMMONS On Thursday, April 26th, the 8th Senate resolved to invite President
Muhammadu Buhari, to address a Joint Session of the National Assembly
PRESIDENT BUHARI TO ADDRESS JOINT over the security situation in the nation.

SESSION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY During a debate on the recent killings of catholic priests and worshippers in
Benue State, the 8th Senate resolved that the “Senate and House of
Representatives should be addressed by the President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria in a joint session on the matter of insecurity”.

Speaking on the resolution, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar

Bukola Saraki, said: “We all know that the dimension it is taking can lead to
a serious crisis in this country. It means that we need drastic action. We must
say ‘No.’ These daily killings, have to stop.”

“
The President of the Senate also stated that if drastic steps were not taken,
the current killings could take on a coloration that might create further crisis
in Distinguished

and
the nation.

uppermost
armed
colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be
“These killings in
areour
bandits
oneminds.
and
too many.
are not
As we
We must
ethnic or
nothave rightly
allow the said,
religious-based.
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us -
these criminals
upcoming 2019

or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the

“It is clear that if we do not do something it will take a coloration that might
constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people. This is my
create further crisis in this country. That is why there is need for Mr. President
to appeal:
come anditaddressis tootheearly for 2019 politicking to override the
two chambers.
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
“I begun
will meet a good thing
with the with the
Speaker economic
to look at that core
as soonof our agenda;We
as possible. let hope
us
seewith
that it tothat
its opportunity
proper conclusion. It would
we will also be able be tomost insensitive
better advise if to the is
there
need
needsfor ofState
the of Emergency
people of thisto be declared
country in those
if we were states
to do and secondly
otherwise.
why the leaderships of those security agencies do not require changes in
order to restore confidence in the institution. But clearly, something needs to
be done, and we will make sure something is done.”

SENATE GIVES IG OF POLICE 6-DAYS
TO APPEAR BEFORE IT
On Thursday, April 26th, the 8th Senate resolved to
give the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris,
until 11am on Wednesday, 2nd May 2018 to appear
before it. This resolution followed the Senate’s
debate on the security situation in the nation, with an
emphasis on the recent killings in Benue State, where
worshipers and priests were killing.
Speaking on the development, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki,
said: “The general consensus is that we give the IG of Police until Wednesday 2nd
May, 2018 at 11am to appear before us. But as we do this, I must take a cue from the
comments of the Leader which I have strong views on. This is because we must always
protect the dignity and integrity of our democratic authorities. We must protect it and
we must not allow anybody to show any disrespect or desecrate that authority.
“As I said to you the other day, and I’m sure Senator Abu Ibrahim will confirm,
neither Senator Abu Ibrahim nor myself have received any response from the IG of
Police in the last 48 hours about the security situation in the nation,” Saraki said.
The President of the Senate also emphasized that he was sure that if the IG of Police
had taken permission from the President to attend the Security Briefing at the Senate,
the President would have obliged his request.
“
“We have all been Chief Executives. If Mr. President is going to Bauchi to commission
a project that has to do with the Air Force, then it means that the IG of Police is only
accompanying the President. If he had said to Mr President: ‘With the killings that are
going on, it is important that I go to brief the parliament.’ Then, I am very sure that
Mr. President would have said: ‘IG, that is more important, go to the parliament.’
“This is the point we are making about those who are appointed who are creating
more problems. Someone said to me, if a former Minster who had been suspended
by the President breaks into the council chambers at the Villa and does some kind of
mischief, will the IG of Police not feel that he needs to report to the President on what
actions have been taken since? This can not be the kind of democratic setting we
expect. Therefore, we give him until Wednesday, 11am for him to come here to
explain to us what is happening in this country regarding these killings; what do we
need to do collectively to bring an end to this killings; what challenges are there; and
why are we having these issues?
“I don’t think there is anything more important today than these issues. So let us wait
till when he comes on Wednesday to address that so that we can find a way forward
on this matter,” the Senate President said.

FUEL SUBSIDY: SENATE ORDERS NNPC
TO REFUND OVER N200BILLION
On Thursday, April 26th, the 8th
Senate resolved that the Nigerian
N a t i o n a l Pe t ro l e u m C o r p o ra t i o n
(NNPC) must refund the illegal N216
billion paid by the commission as
subsidy in 2017.
Speaking on the development, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, said: “The important thing is that NNPC cannot continue going
forward making those payments without appropriations because definitely
there is subsidy going on now and it needs to be backed by law which has
always been the case since 1999. There has been an appropriation for fuel
subsidy.”
The President of the Senate also stated that going forward, the National
Assembly should capture a budgetary provision for the NNPC for fuel
subsidies, so that “when they do make these payments, they are no longer
illegal payments as it will be backed by an appropriation.”
“We are coming to the end of the budget exercise and that is my concern. It
“
is better we quickly rectify this for the 2018 budget and stop the deception to
Nigerians and do the right thing. By doing the subsidy also it means private
companies will participate and it will even be more efficient,” Saraki said.
Consequently, the Senate resolved that:
1. The NNPC should stop all the illegal payments without appropriation
henceforth;
2. The NNPC, through Mr. President, should make a formal request to the
National Assembly for the 2018 fuel subsidy payments;
3.The Federal Republic of Nigeria should pay all marketers their outstanding
arrears of subsidy owed in 2017;
4.Our local refineries should be given maximum attention to enable them
function at full capacity;
5.A full audit of the NNPC should be carried out; and
6.There must be appropriate sanctions for officers and personnel who have
carried out this illegal payment.
w w w. s e n a t e p r e s i d e n t . g o v. n g