Senators in Near Blows Over Jonathan

The Senate chamber was almost turned into a boxing ring yesterday when two senators attempted to exchange blows during a heated debate over President Jonathan’s rejection of a bill seeking to compel him to deliver a yearly state of the nation address to boxing not the way to resolve dispute - Mark

The Senate chamber was almost turned into a boxing ring yesterday when two senators attempted to exchange blows during a heated debate over President Jonathan's rejection of a bill seeking to compel him to deliver a yearly state of the nation address to parliament.

Jonathan had on June 25 written to the Senate rejecting the State of the Nation Address Bill as passed by the National Assembly. He proposed some amendments to make the address optional and allow him delegate someone to deliver it.


Trouble started in the Senate yesterday as debate got heated on the legality or otherwise of the president's letter.

One side argued that based on the provisions of the constitution, the president can only assent to the bill or reject it out right but could not propose any changes. Senators on this side said the Senate should assume that the president had vetoed the bill and consider overriding his veto.

The other side of the divide, however, said Jonathan's letter did not breach the constitution or the Senate standing orders.

Sensing that the debate was going out of hand, deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu moved a motion that discussion be adjourned to enable the Senate leadership consult with the House of Representatives on the matter.

Senate President David Mark then put the question as to whether further debate on the bill should be adjourned or the Senate take a vote to override the president's veto.

Most senators voted against adjourning the debate but Mark held back the gavel, indicating he was not satisfied with the outcome.

At this point, principal officers began lobbying their colleagues to support adjournment of the debate.
Ekweremadu left his seat and headed towards opposition senators' seats while other principal officers also pleaded with their colleagues to accept postponement.