Lawan swears in Okorocha as Senate adjourns till July 2

Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, performed his first plenary assignment as Senate President by swearing in Senator Rochas Okorocha, representing Imo West Senatorial District.
The event took place immediately after the Senate had taken the prayers, approval of votes and proceedings at plenary in the red chamber in Abuja
Lawan and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege were on Tuesday elected by the lawmakers as senate president and deputy senate president respectively.
However, the name of Okorocha, the immediate-past governor of Imo State, was missing from the senators-elect from the state as a result of the Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC)’s inability to give him a Certificate of Return.
At Thursday’s plenary, Okorocha took the Oath of Office at the chamber at 10:39am.
He then advanced to the senate president to have a handshake after signing the necessary documents.
Meanwhile, the Senate set up a 12-member ad-hoc committee to liaise with management of the National Assembly for seat and office allocation to lawmakers.
Lawan made the announcement after an hour closed-door session.
He gave the committee two weeks to work, to enable the lawmakers have permanent seats in the chamber as well as permanent offices.
“I want to thank the committee in advance because the rest of us will go on recess while they remain to liaise with the management on the allocation.
“Two weeks will be dedicated to the activities and other senators can make suggestions where necessary,” he said.
Lawan further announced that a one-page document from National Assembly Directorate of Finance and Administration had been circulated for lawmakers to fill appropriately to complete their documentation process.
Lawan, thereafter, announced Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno) as Chairman of the committee, while members are Aisha Modibbo (APC-Adamawa), Gabriel Suswan (PDP-Benue), Abdullahi Sabi (APC-Niger), Betty Apiafi (PDP-Rivers) and Bassey Akpan (PDP-Akwa Ibom).
Others are Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), Ibrahim Gobir (APC-Sokoto), Nicholas Tofowomo (PDP-Ondo), Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos), Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu) and Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra).
The senate then adjourned plenary till July 2, after the motion for adjournment was moved by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo Agege, and seconded by Senator Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT).