The Nigerian Senate

Term of office : 4 years

Most recent election : 12 April 2003.

Eligibility : 35 years.

Ineligibility ; the following persons are ineligible : undischarged bankrupts, those facing accusations of misuse of funds or of fraud, those condemned by penal sentence, members of a sect, those accused of electoral fraud or professional negligence, those who have wilfully acquired a foreign nationality, those suffering from mental illness.

III - ORGANISATION OF SESSIONS

The Senate sits for a minimum of 181 days per year (as does the Chamber of Representatives).

IV - RELATIONS WITH THE OTHER CHAMBER AND THE EXECUTIVE

The National Assembly consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives.

A - LEGISLATIVE POWERS

1) Powers to initiate legislation

Each of the two chambers possesses these powers, as does the Head of State : private members may also initiate bills.

2) Right of amendment

Possessed by each of the two chambers and also the Head of State.

3) Legislative procedure

a) Normal procedure

Presentation and vote by simple majority by the chamber which takes the initiative, then by the other chamber. Thereafter, the text passes between the two chambers until agreement has been obtained.

The President then has 30 days to accept or reject it. If he rejects it, the bill is submitted to a further consideration by Parliament : a new vote by a 2/3 majority of both chambers carries it into law on the President's signature.

b) Special provisions in the case of financial laws

If the finance bill passed by one chamber is rejected by the other within a period of two months from the start of the budgetary year, the President of the Senate convenes a meeting of the mixed Finances Committee within 14 days in order to raise the points of disagreement between the two chambers.

If the mixed committee fails to resolve the issue, the bill is submitted to a joint meeting of the two chambers. If the bill is passed, it is then presented to the President for signature.

If the President does not manifest his agreement or rejects the bill within a period of 30 days, the text is again submitted to a joint meeting of the National Assembly and if it is voted through by a 2/3 majority of the members of the two assemblies, the bill becomes law and the President's assent is not necessary.

If the financial law is not passed at the beginning of the budgetary year, the President may authorise the withdrawal from Consolidation Funds of the amounts necessary for the functioning of governmental services for a maximum period of 6 months or until the entry into effect of the financial law, within the limit of the authorisations adopted by the National Assembly for the previous budget.

B - REVIEW POWERS

1) Impeachment proceedings.

2) A minister may be invited by the Senate (as well as by the Chamber of Representatives ) to explain the conduct of his ministry.

3) Financial audit

The General Controller submits his report on the Federation's public finances to each of the houses of the National Assembly.

This report is sent to the competent committee of the chamber.

4) Right of investigation

The Senate (as well as the Chamber of Representatives ) may pass a resolution to enable investigations to be undertaken in any matter relating to the domain of the law, the conduct of governmental activities or the application of laws, and the spending or management of funds under the aegis of the National Assembly.

C - RELATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

The President may be present at meetings of the Senate (as well as those of the Chamber of Representatives and at joint meetings of the National Assembly) to make a pronouncement on national affairs, including fiscal measures, or to make a statement on the policy of the government, if he considers this to be of national importance.

D - PROROGATION

If the Federation is at war and the President considers that it is not possible to organise elections, the National Assembly may pass a resolution to prorogue its mandate for successive periods not exceeding six months each.

V - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

A - THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

The Senate President and the Vice-president are (individually) elected by the senators.

They may be dismissed from their posts by a resolution passed by a majority of at least 2/3 of the senators.

The President of the Senate presides over joint sittings of the two chambers.

B - NOMINATIONS

The General Controller of the Federation is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Federal Administration Committee, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The General Controller of the Federation may exercise his functions for a maximum of 6 months, only, without the authorisation of the Senate.

The person exercising these functions may be dismissed by the President on the request of 2/3 of the senators, for reasons of incapacity or bad conduct.

NB : The Constitution is currently being revised, since it appears that supplements are necessary.

Here are links to the senators I could find...

Senators of the Fourth Republic (2003-2007) Alphabetical List Of Senators Click on a name for more information   Inatimi, Spiff from Bayelsa State. Federal Constituency: Bayelsa EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Kofo, Brambaifa from Bayelsa State. Federal Constituency: Bayelsa WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Cobbina, Brigidi from Bayelsa State. Federal Constituency: Bayelsa CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Wabara, Adolphus from Abia State. Federal Constituency: Abia SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Omisore, Iyiola from Osun State. Federal Constituency: Political Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Chukwumerije, Uche from Abia State. Federal Constituency: Abia NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Adigheji, Chris from Abia State. Federal Constituency: Abia CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Aminu, Jibrin from Adamawa State. Federal Constituency: Adamawa CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Zwingina, Jonathan from Adamawa State. Federal Constituency: Adamawa SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Abubakar, Iya from Adamawa State. Federal Constituency: Adamawa NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Abanah, I.G from Anambra State. Federal Constituency: Anambra CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ugochukwu, Uba from Anambra State. Federal Constituency: Anambra SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Anosike, Emmanuel from Anambra State. Federal Constituency: Anambra NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Effiong, Bob. from Akwa Ibom State. Federal Constituency: Akwa Ibom North EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ekarika, Bob from Akwa Ibom State. Federal Constituency: Akwa Ibom North WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Udoma, Udoma from Akwa Ibom State. Federal Constituency: Akwa Ibom SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Bala, Adamu from Bauchi State. Federal Constituency: Bauchi CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Maikafi, Abdullahi from Bauchi State. Federal Constituency: Bauchi SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Tela, Baba from Bauchi State. Federal Constituency: Bauchi NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Aji, A. M. from Borno State. Federal Constituency: Borno CentralPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Umar, Hmabadga from Borno State. Federal Constituency: Borno SouthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Dagash, Sanusi from Borno State. Federal Constituency: Borno NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Gregory, Ngaji from Cross River State. Federal Constituency: Cross River CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Bassey, Ewa from Cross River State. Federal Constituency: Cross River SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ndoma, Victor from Cross River State. Federal Constituency: Cross River NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ibru, Felix from Delta State. Federal Constituency: Delta CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ebiowou, James from Delta State. Federal Constituency: Delta SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Osakwe, Patrick from Delta State. Federal Constituency: Delta NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Agoda, John from Delta State. Federal Constituency: EthiopePolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ucha, Julius from Ebonyi State. Federal Constituency: Ebonyi CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Agboti, Azu from Ebonyi State. Federal Constituency: Ebonyi SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Christopher, Nshi from Ebonyi State. Federal Constituency: Ebonyi NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Aigberadion, Osunbor from Edo State. Federal Constituency: Edo CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Danjuma, Daisy from Edo State. Federal Constituency: Edo SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Oyofor, Victor from Edo State. Federal Constituency: Edo NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Awoyelu, C.K from Ekiti State. Federal Constituency: Ekiti CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Olowopuroku, Bode from Ekiti State. Federal Constituency: Ekiti SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Kolawole, James from Ekiti State. Federal Constituency: Ekiti NorthPolitical Party: Alliance for Democracy Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Nnamani, Ken from Enugu State. Federal Constituency: Enugu EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ekweremadu, Ike from Enugu State. Federal Constituency: Enugu WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Okoro, Fidelis from Enugu State. Federal Constituency: Enugu NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Mohammed, Abubakar from Gombe State. Federal Constituency: Gombe CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Wada, Tawa from Gombe State. Federal Constituency: Gombe SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Garba, Haruna from Gombe State. Federal Constituency: Gombe NorthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ararume, Ifeanyi from Imo State. Federal Constituency: Imo NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Iwuagwu, Ama from Imo State. Federal Constituency: Imo SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Nzeribe, Arthur from Imo State. Federal Constituency: Imo WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Bello, Yusuf from Jigawa State. Federal Constituency: Jigawa South WestPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Dan-Zalo, Dalha from Jigawa State. Federal Constituency: Jigawa North WestPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ibrahim, Mohammed from Jigawa State. Federal Constituency: Jigawa North EastPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Aruwa, Muktar from Kaduna State. Federal Constituency: Kaduna CentralPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Balat, Isaiah from Kaduna State. Federal Constituency: Kaduna SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Tafida, Dalhatu from Kaduna State. Federal Constituency: Kaduna NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Rufai, Hanga from Kano State. Federal Constituency: Kano CentralPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Umar, Usman from Kano State. Federal Constituency: Kano SouthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Gwarzo, Bello from Kano State. Federal Constituency: Kano NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Tsauri, Umar from Katsina State. Federal Constituency: Katsina CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ibrahim, Abu from Katsina State. Federal Constituency: Katsina SouthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Bello, Mahmud from Katsina State. Federal Constituency: Katsina NorthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Dikko, Yusuf from Katsina State. Federal Constituency: Batagrawa/Charanchi/RimiPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Bunza, Bello from Kebbi State. Federal Constituency: Kebbi CentralPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Sani, Sami from Kebbi State. Federal Constituency: Kebbi SouthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Sani, Kamba from Kebbi State. Federal Constituency: Kebbi NorthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. S., Ohiare from Kogi State. Federal Constituency: Kogi CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ogbeha, Jonathan from Kogi State. Federal Constituency: Kogi WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Yahaya, Ugbane from Kogi State. Federal Constituency: Kogi EastPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Saraki, Fowora from Kwara State. Federal Constituency: Kwara CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Suleiman, Ajadi from Kwara State. Federal Constituency: Kwara SouthPolitical Party: All Nigeria People's Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Mohameed, Ahmed from Kwara State. Federal Constituency: Kwara NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Obanikoro, Musiliu from Lagos State. Federal Constituency: Lagos CentralPolitical Party: Alliance for Democracy Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Olorunibe, Mamora from Lagos State. Federal Constituency: Lagos EastPolitical Party: Alliance for Democracy Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Afikuyomi, Tokunbo from Lagos State. Federal Constituency: Lagos WestPolitical Party: Alliance for Democracy Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Okpede, Emmanuel from Nassarawa State. Federal Constituency: Nassarawa SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Sadangi, A. from Nassarawa State. Federal Constituency: Nasarawa WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Danboyi, John from Nassarawa State. Federal Constituency: Nasarawa NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Mohammed, Isa from Niger State. Federal Constituency: Niger SouthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Kuta, Idris from Niger State. Federal Constituency: Niger EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Aliyu, Nuhu from Niger State. Federal Constituency: Niger NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ibikunle, Amosu from Ogun State. Federal Constituency: Ogun CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Anisulowo, Iyabode from Ogun State. Federal Constituency: Ogun WestPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ogunbanjo, Olatokunbo from Ogun State. Federal Constituency: Ogun EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ogunniya, Gbenga from Ondo State. Federal Constituency: Ondo CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Olupitan, T. from Ondo State. Federal Constituency: Ondo SouthPolitical Party: Alliance for Democracy Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. O, Ehinlawo from Ondo State. Federal Constituency: Ondo NorthPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Ogunala, Felix from Osun State. Federal Constituency: Osun CentralPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Omisore, Iyiola from Osun State. Federal Constituency: Osun EastPolitical Party: People's Democratic Party Voting Statistics: out of votes cast. Olasunkami, Akinlabi from Osun State. Federal Constituency: Osun WestPolitical Party: People's D