16th March, 2016
Nigeria’s senate president, Bukola Saraki, has explained to a disappointed Nigerian that he does not vote on bills deliberated upon in the red chamber, explaining his position after the Gender Equality bill was thrown out by his colleagues.
Saraki who tried to placate Nigerians who were visibly not happy with the treatment meted to the #GEOBill explained his position and how his hands were tight.
Responding to accusations on Twitter, he wrote: “As Senate president, I’m not allowed to vote on bills. Only when there is a tie will I now cast the deciding vote.”
As Senate president, I'm not allowed to vote on bills. Only when there is a tie will I now cast the deciding vote.
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 15, 2016
As Senate president, I'm not allowed to vote on bills. Only when there is a tie will I now cast the deciding vote.
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 15, 2016
Sorry to disappoint. Still working to bring everyone together to see how we can find mutual ground. #GEOBill https://t.co/bBBtP4nBWb
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 16, 2016
He however promised that the bill will be reintroduced. “Working with Senator Biodun Olujimi and Senator Bwacha to find mutual ground on #GEOBill,” he wrote.
Working with Senator Biodun Olujimi and Senator Bwacha to find mutual ground on #GEOBill pic.twitter.com/4bVlkWCXhv
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 16, 2016
Explaining further, Saraki through the special adviser on Gender, Ms Fatima Kakuri, issued a comment and explained in details his position on the bill.
Read Saraki’s Comments Below:
Today, we discussed the Domestication of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women under A Bill For An Act To Incorporate and Enforce Certain Provisions of The United Nations Convention On The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, and Other Matters Connected Therewith.
As I said during the International Womens Day last week, I am of the opinion that there are substantial parts of the bill that are crucial to the development of our nation such as the Equal Access to Education, strengthening of the laws on Violence against Women, Ending Abduction of girls, Sustenance and Promotion of Entrepreneurship opportunities, Gender Mainstreaming and Gender equality, female participation in governance, among others.
Unfortunately, the bill suffered a slight set back because there were some parts of the Bill that some Senators disagreed with along the lines of religion and tradition. The beauty of democracy is that it gives us the opportunity to consider different opinions and this bill can still be represented and reconsidered on the floor of the Senate
I have it on good authority that Senator Biodun Olujimi who introduced this bill will reintroduce it after re-drafting it to address some of the reservations that were expressed on the floor of the Senate.