8th Nigeria National Assembly

8th National Assembly
7th National Assembly 9th National Assembly
National Assembly Complex
Overview
Meeting placeNational Assembly Complex
Term9 June 2015 (2015-06-09) – 9 June 2019 (2019-06-09)
Election2015
Websitenass.gov.ng
Senate
Members109
Senate PresidentBukola Saraki
Deputy Senate PresidentIke Ekweremadu
House of Representatives
Members360
Speaker of the HouseYakubu Dogara
Deputy Speaker of the HouseYusuf Sulaiman Lasun

The 8th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was a bicameral legislature inaugurated on 9 June 2015 and ran its course until 9 June 2019.[1]

Composition

The assembly comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives.[2] The National Assembly comprises 469 members elected across the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria.[3] The House of Representative consists of 360 members and the Senate, a total of 109 members from which 59 were elected on the platform of the APC and 49 were elected on the platform of People's Democratic Party following the sudden death of Senator Ahmed Zanna elected on the platform of PDP to represent Borno Central.[4][5]

Only six of the senators were women. The women elected were Stella Oduah and Uche Ekwunife who both represent Anambra, Monsurat Sunmonu from Oyo state, Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Rose Okoji Oko, Oluremi Tinubu and Binta Garba.[6]

Parliamentary elections

The Parliamentary elections was conducted at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, the federal capital territory, Nigeria.[7]

Senatorial election

The Assembly was inaugurated on 9 June 2015 at around 10.am following the reading of the proclamation letter of General Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria, who ordered the inauguration of the Assembly. The letter was read by Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, the Clerk of the National Assembly.[8][9] Out of the 59 Senators-elect, only 57 were in attendance, in line with the Senate Rule that stipulated that only two-thirds of the total Senators need to be present to form a quorum.[10] Senator Bukola Saraki was nominated as candidate for the office of President of the Senate by Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima representing Zamfara Central and his nomination was seconded by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.[11] The clerk called for further nomination but the other aspirant for the office, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, representing Yobe North was absent and the clerk asked twice, if there is any other nomination before he drew the curtain to declare Senator Bukola Saraki winner and Senate President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.[12] He was led to the platform to take the oaths of office and allegiance led by the clerk.[13] Saraki assumed the office immediately and took his seat as the Senate president, while the Assembly proceedings continued.[14] Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate president of the 6th and 7th Assemblies was re-elected following his nomination by Senator George Thompson Sekibo.[15] Senator Ekweremadu polled a total votes of 54 to defeat Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who polled only 20 votes.[16]

House of representatives election

The election of the leadership of House of representatives was also conducted by the clerk.[17] After two hours of voting process, Honorable Yakubu Dogara emerged as the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives by 8 votes having polled 182 votes with 1 vote above the simple majority stipulated by the 1999 Constitution as mended, against honorable Femi Gbajabiamila who polled 174 votes and two ballots were voided.[18] Dogara was sworn in by the clerk, Alhaji Maikasuwa and he assumed office as Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives at around 4.45 pm.[19]

Members

Senate

References

  1. ^ "BREAKING: Yakubu Dogara emerges Speaker House of Reps - P.M. NEWS Nigeria". pmnewsnigeria.com. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Senate, House of Reps elect new leaders - LIVE UPDATES - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Random thoughts on the Eighth National Assembly elections". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Buhari accepts outcome of National Assembly elections". DailyPost Nigeria. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  5. ^ "APC Says Outcome Of National Assembly Election Is Treachery - Channels Television". Channels Television. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  6. ^ The 6 female senators in 8th National Assembly, Naij,com, Retrieved 15 February 2016
  7. ^ "Police Lockdown National Assembly Complex Ahead Of Crucial Legislative Elections". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  8. ^ "N'Assembly debacle Buhari makes last minute intervention". Thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  9. ^ "President Muhammadu Buhari Reacts To Election Outcomes Of Leaders Of The National Assembly". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  10. ^ "N'Assembly-Saraki is Senate President". Thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "Bukola Saraki emerges as Senate President". Vanguard News. Retrieved 10 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "[UPDATED] Confusion as Saraki emerges Senate President". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Bukola Saraki elected Senate President - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  14. ^ "BREAKING: Bukola Saraki Gives First Remarks As Controversial Senate President". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  15. ^ "PDP's Ekeremadu returns as Deputy Senate President - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Ekweremadu re-elected as deputy senate president". Vanguard News. Retrieved 10 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Dogara defeats Gbajamiabila to emerge as Speaker". DailyPost Nigeria. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Dogara Emerges Speaker Of House Of Representatives - Channels Television". Channels Television. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Breaking news: Dogara defeats Gbajabiamila, emerges as House of Representatives Speaker". Vanguard News. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  20. ^ "National Assembly | Federal Republic of Nigeria". Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.