Aisha Buhari joins Senate to monitor review of Constitution

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari was in the Senate today (Wednesday), midway through plenary, to witness the laying of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review’s report. 

The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and a group of Nigerian women joined the President’s wife. 

Following the referral of a bill to amend the Federal High Court Act Cap F134 to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Senate President Ahmad Lawan suspended Rule 12(1) – Privileges of the Floor – and invoked Rule 1(b) to admit the First Lady and her delegation into the chamber at 11:58 a.m.  

At 12:06 p.m., the Senate Committee on the Alteration to the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chaired by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), laid the report. Afterwards, Lawan stated the First Lady’s, Aisha Buhari visit was to indicate support for a plan that would increase the number of female MPs in federal and state legislatures. 

“The First Lady’s visit is to indicate support for a law that would increase the number of female MPs in both houses of the Senate and House, as well as in state legislatures,” he added.  

“We feel that this will assist in nation-building since major engagement by our women will bring value to not only legislation but also much-needed national development. Our slogan as a country is Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. We think that all hands must be on deck to guarantee that every element of our society is represented.”