The Nigerian Senate has scheduled an emergency session to deliberate on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s supplementary appropriation for the 2024 fiscal year, including acquiring a new presidential jet. This urgent meeting comes during the lawmakers’ recess, which began last week and was set to end on July 2, 2024.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, confirmed the plenary would be held on Thursday. Adaramodu explained the session would address various issues, including appropriations, constitutional matters, and pending legislative bills and motions.
“It’s our statutory resumption from the Sallah break. The Senate has the constitutional power to regulate its sessions. We believe that we could gain one more legislative day to deal with national and constitutional issues, hence the bringing forward from the initial July 2,” Adaramodu stated.
The urgency of this session is partly due to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommending new aircraft for the President and Vice-President, citing safety concerns with the current fleet. This follows reports that three presidential jets were put up for sale.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio refuted claims that the Senate had already approved the purchase of new presidential jets, calling such reports malicious and clarifying that no approval had been granted amidst the country’s challenging economic situation.
The Senate’s forthcoming deliberations are crucial, aiming to finalize appropriations and address outstanding constitutional and electoral issues before the annual recess later in the year.
