Constitution Review, Hate Speech, Social Media Bills, Top Agenda As Senate Resumes, ‘Morrow

The Senate will tomorrow resume plenary session after its Christmas and New Year break.
Top on the agenda of the upper legislative chamber is the review of the Constitution and consideration of the Hate Speech and the Social Media Bills, it was learnt, yesterday.
A source said in Abuja that the Constitution review was top on the agenda due to a number of constitution amendment related bills pending before the Senate.
He noted that the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan had already promised to constitute the Constitution Amendment Committee.
According to him, the Constitution review committee would go a long way to kick-start the amendment in line with the aspirations of Nigerians.
The senators, he said, are eagerly looking forward to the composition of the review committee.
Bills on Constitution Review pending before the Senate include: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 109), by Senator Baba Kaita Ahmad (Katsina North); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 75), by Senator Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 48), by Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 184), by Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central); and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 204), by Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East)
Others are Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 218), by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 240), by Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 247), by Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill 2019 (SB.74) by Sen. Gyang, lstifanus Dun (Plateau North); and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 259) by Sen. Bamidele, Micheal Opeyemi (Ekiti Central).
On the Hate Speech Bill, he noted that the controversy trailing the Bill was such that no Senate worth its name would not seek to conclude the proposed legislation either way.
He said that the views of Nigerians as articulated during the public hearing on the Bill would determine the fate of the controversial Bill.
He added that Nigerians are no doubt waiting anxiously to see the decision of the Senate on the Bill.
He underscored the fact that some senators have already taken positions even without the Bill going for public hearing.