The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has called for an emergency meeting of the Senate.
A circular seen by The Whisperer and signed by the Clerk, Chinedu Akubueze on Monday, said the meeting was of “National Importance”.
The internal circular did not give further details on the emergency meeting.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, just one day before the commencement of the nationwide planned protest against hunger and hardship.
The memo wrote, “Dear Distinguished Senators, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened as follows: Date: WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st, 2024; TIME: 12 NOON.
“Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed. We regret all inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause. Thanks for your usual understanding.”
Similarly, the House of Representatives will also hold an emergency Plenary on Wednesday.
This is contained in an internal memo sent to the members, dated July 28, 2024 seen by The Whisperer on Monday.
The memo was signed by the Clerk to the House, Dr Yahaya Danzaria.
It reads, “On the directive of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, please be informed that there will be a plenary sitting on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
“You are kindly requested to make necessary arrangements to attend, as important matters will be deliberated upon during this session.
“We regret any inconvenience caused by the interruption of the annual recess. However, we count on the dedication and patriotism that the 10th Assembly is known for.
“Thank you for your cooperation and understanding”.
Recall that the House had suspended plenary earlier last week and embarked on recess until September 17.
Although the reason for the emergency plenary was not dislcosed, it might not be unconnected with the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1, 2024 against economic hardship in the country.
There has been highetened tension over the proposed protest with calls from the different quarters to jettison the plan on the grounds that it could result in violence.
But the organisers have stood their ground, insisting that the protest would hold as planned.
On Monday soldiers blocked major roads leading to Abuja in show of force, as a minor hunger protest broke out in Suleja, Niger State.
There is also heavy security presence in some major parts of Lagos, including Ojota, Oshodi, Ojuelegba and parts of Lagos Island.
