The Senate on Tuesday resumed sitting, to adjourn plenary till Wednesday over the death of a member of House of Representatives, Mr Temitope Olatoye (Sugar), representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo.
This was sequel to a Point of Order by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan at the plenary.
Lawan had urged the senate to suspend Tuesday’s plenary as a result of the demise of the lawmaker.
Coming under Order 43, he said as part of the National Assembly’s tradition, it was important to suspend legislative activities as a mark of respect.
“You will recall that Hon. Temitope Olatoye died during the elections and I hereby move a motion for adjournment till Wednesday,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi seconded the motion.
Meanwhile, a minute silence was observed in honour of the deceased.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased, adjourned plenary till Wednesday.
Olatoye was reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen on March 9, after which he was rushed to UCH Ibadan, where he died.
Also, the House of Representatives adjourned sitting till 11a.m. On Wednesday over the death.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, during plenary, formally announced the death of Temitope and a former member, Mr Bethel Amadi.
The adjournment was done after approving the proceedings of the day few minutes after the opening prayer.
A minute of silence and prayers, from both Christian and Muslim faithful, were made for the deceased.
Going by the tradition of both chambers, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, at plenary, moved that adjournment be made till 11a.m. on Wednesday which was approved by all members.
Speaking with journalists after the plenary, Dogara condemned the killings across the country during the general elections.
He said that Nigeria should not experience killings during elections at this stage of its democracy.
Dogara said: “It is unfortunate that we lost our colleague and many other Nigerians during the elections due electoral violence. This is so unfortunate for us as a nation and even for our democracy.
“We need to move away from this kind of experiences to a better place as a nation, it is not helping our democracy.“
Amadi died of ailment in a London-based hospital a week prior to the general elections.
