The Independent National Electoral Commission approved February 3, 2024 bye-elections resulting from the resignation or death of members of the National and state Houses of Assembly.
The Senate had on December 30 2023 adjourned plenary after it passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
After resumption on Tuesday, the lawmakers went into closed-door for two hours where they deliberated on the issue of urgent national importance.
After taking the business of the day, the Senate thereafter adjourned plenary till Tuesday, February 6.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the end of the session said, “In view of the elections in about 36 constituencies in the country, coming up on Saturday, both houses of the House of Representatives and the distinguished chamber of the Senate, we have agreed that we have less than 48 hours to partake in the campaigns which will close on Thursday by midnight.
“And therefore, this Senate stands adjourned till the 6th day of February 2024 at 11 am prompt.”
Meanwhile, the Senate read a letter forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu, asking it to confirm the sack of the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera.
Reading the letter at the resumption of a four-week recess by the Upper Chamber, Akpabio said the request was by the provisions of Section 8 (2) of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
He also announced that Irukera’s disengagement took effect from Monday, January 8, 2024.
The request of Tinubu is referred to the committee of the whole for further action.
Tinubu on January 8, 2024, sacked Irukera as CEO of FCCPC.
