The Senate has denied allegations that it has been persistently delaying concurrence on legislative initiatives from the House of Representatives.
The Senate, President Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, stated on Tuesday that the Upper Chamber considered at least six bills for concurrence affirmations from the House of Representatives in the previously week.
This was contained in a press statement from the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader on Tuesday.
“We cannot joke with concurrence of bills from the House of Representatives,” Akpabio emphasized, adding that they will continue to work together in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Bamidele added that the Senate has been attending to concurrence bills from the House, citing the principle of reciprocity that governs their operations.
“We have been doing what we are supposed to do. Only last week, the Senate concurred to six bills from the House of Representatives,” he stated.
The Senate clarification was made after the House of Representatives resolved to suspend consideration of bills originating from the Senate, citing persistent delays in the red chamber’s concurrence to House-passed legislation.
The House had accused the Senate of stalling the legislative process, citing its failure to act on over 140 bills passed by the House.
The Senate leadership rejected these claims, emphasizing their commitment to collaboration and effective governance.
“It takes two hands to clap,” Akpabio said,” adding thst they would continue to work together in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
The development highlights the on-going efforts to strengthen inter-chamber cooperation and facilitate legislative progresses in Nigeria.