In a move seen as a gesture of reconciliation and legislative cooperation, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed three concurrence bills earlier approved by the House of Representatives, signaling a thaw in tensions following last week’s dramatic face-off between the two chambers of the National Assembly.
The face-off, which stemmed from disagreements over legislative priorities and accusations of unilateralism, had sparked concerns about deepening divisions between the Red and Green Chambers. However, the Senate’s decision to pass the concurrence bills is being interpreted as an attempt to restore harmony and refocus attention on national interest.
The three bills passed by the Senate include:
1. The Federal College of Agriculture (Establishment) Bill – This seeks to establish a specialized institution to enhance agricultural education, research, and development in rural communities, with the goal of improving food security and employment.
2. The National Blood Service Commission (Amendment) Bill – This amendment aims to strengthen the regulatory framework of the National Blood Service, improve safety standards, and promote voluntary blood donation.
3. The Chartered Institute of Digital Technology and Development (Establishment) Bill – This bill proposes the creation of a professional body to oversee the regulation, training, and advancement of digital technology experts in Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary session, noted that the passage of the bills was not only a legislative duty but also an affirmation of the Senate’s commitment to collaboration. “We must always remember that Nigerians are watching and counting on us to deliver results, not rivalry,” he said. “Let this be a turning point in our relationship with the House of Representatives.”
The House had passed the bills in earlier sittings, but their transmission to the Senate was briefly delayed during the fallout from a dispute over budgetary allocations and overlapping oversight responsibilities. Some members of both chambers had publicly criticized each other, prompting fears that legislative productivity would suffer.
The development has been welcomed by observers and civil society groups who had urged both chambers to set aside differences. “It’s a positive signal that the Senate is willing to de-escalate tensions for the sake of legislative progress,” said Abdulrahman Musa of the Centre for Legislative Accountability. “The National Assembly should be a model of cooperation, not conflict.”
A senior lawmaker from the House, who asked not to be named, said the quick concurrence of the bills may be part of behind-the-scenes efforts to mend fences. “There’s been a lot of diplomacy going on in the background. What you’re seeing now is the effect of that quiet diplomacy,” he said.
