Senate Suspends Recess, Summons Lawmakers For Emergency Meeting

The Senate has cut short its ongoing recess and scheduled an emergency sitting for June 23 to address pressing national issues, with security expected to take centre stage during deliberations.

Naija News reports that the lawmakers were directed to return to the Senate chamber by 11 a.m.

The notice calling for the special session was issued on June 15 by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo.

According to the notice, the emergency meeting was convened on the instruction of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow senators consider urgent matters affecting the country.

The Senate explained that the special sitting became necessary because of issues requiring immediate legislative attention, especially concerns surrounding national security and other important national matters.

The development means senators will return to work earlier than planned.

The upper chamber had adjourned plenary on June 11 and was expected to resume regular legislative activities on July 7.

The emergency session comes at a time when many parts of the country are facing growing security challenges.

Reports of attacks, kidnappings and other violent incidents in several states have continued to raise concerns among citizens and government officials.

The Senate’s decision follows a similar move by the House of Representatives.

On Monday, members of the lower chamber also held an emergency sitting to consider changes to the 2025 Appropriation Act.

The House meeting focused on extending the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 budget.

Lawmakers considered a proposal seeking to move the deadline from June 30 to September 30 to allow more time for the execution of capital projects.