The congressional meeting commenced at exactly 4:13 PM with a startling observation by the Speaker of the House. The President was found using the ceremonial gavel belonging to the Public Administration House of Parliament, in direct contravention of departmental and legislative rules. Offering a swift apology, the President promised to return the gavel immediately. Following this, Congress recommended that a formal letter of apology be issued to address the breach, and the matter was amicably resolved.
Updates on Fresher’s Week
Moving on to the day’s agenda, the President provided updates on the forthcoming Fresher’s Week, slated to hold from December 16 to 20, 2024. However, the highly anticipated fresher’s party has been excluded from the schedule and postponed indefinitely, leaving attendees with mixed feelings.
Audit Committee Delays and Financial Queries
The Financial Secretary briefed Congress on the state of the association’s finances. Congressman Ike raised concerns about possible debts left by the previous administration. In response, the Financial Secretary revealed that the audit committee had not yet been formed, rendering such financial details unavailable.
The President admitted that the former president had failed to set up the committee before leaving office. This revelation sparked outrage, particularly over an unresolved ₦70,000 debt owed by a vendor from the last AIPAS program. The President explained that efforts to retrieve the vendor’s contact had hit a snag due to the former president misplacing her phone.
Congressman Segun pressed for accountability, asking what measures the current administration was taking to recover the funds. In response, the President assured Congress that actions were ongoing but acknowledged the challenges. Congressman Janvi suggested issuing an ultimatum to retrieve the funds within a week, a proposal that garnered support from many in the House.
The President also announced that the delayed audit committee, comprising members from all parts except part 1, would be constituted immediately to address these issues. The audit is critical for submitting the association’s financial report, which is necessary for renewing its license with the Division of Student Affairs.
Judicial Council Nominations and the Vice President’s Absence
The Congress also deliberated on the nomination and appointment of the Judicial Council. It was resolved that nominations would be forwarded to the Head of Department (HOD) for swearing-in and inauguration.
Meanwhile, the Vice President’s repeated absence from congressional sittings became a point of contention. Congressman Ike highlighted the lack of a formal excuse for his absence, prompting a motion for the Vice President to submit a letter of apology explaining his dereliction of duty. Congressman Adedayo seconded the motion, but it was met with a counter-motion from Congressman TeeJay (PLO), seconded by Congressman Oreoluwa (AGS).
Tensions escalated as accusations flew, with Congressman Segun alleging that the executives were shielding the Vice President. The President firmly denied these allegations, insisting that the issue was being handled with transparency.
Constitutional Matters and Heated Exchanges
The session grew more heated when Congressman Oreoluwa (AGS) directed the comment, “EIC, respect yourself,” at Congressman Segun. Some congressmen deemed the remark offensive, leading Congressman Feranmi to cite Article VIII, Section 52 of the constitution, which prohibits abusive language during sittings. Despite debates on whether the comment violated the constitution, Congressman Oreoluwa issued an unreserved apology to calm the tension.
Accountability and Honourable Attendance
Concerns about accountability resurfaced when Congressman Dayo questioned the Treasurer’s absence. The General Secretary explained that the Treasurer had verbally excused herself, a move that Congressmen criticized as unprofessional. This was ultimately dismissed as an oversight.
A dramatic turn of events unfolded during the meeting when the Financial Secretary questioned the absence of parliament honourables from the Congress. Congressman Ike clarified that the honourables are not obligated to be present during congressional sittings, addressing the confusion.
The meeting took another turn when Congressman Sammy objected to being referred to as "this person" by Congressman Ike. Sammy proposed a motion for Congressman Ike to submit a formal written apology before 8 PM. This motion was seconded by Congressman Ejiro and passed into law, further demonstrating the high stakes and intensity of the sitting.
Adjournment
Amid the heated exchanges and unresolved tensions, the meeting was adjourned until further notice, leaving Congress members with much to reflect on before the next sitting.
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