Politics
Senate makes shocking U-turn, screens nominees from presidency
About two weeks after it boasted to high heavens that it will henceforth not consider requests for confirmation of nominees from the presidency, the Senate, on Wednesday, made a U-turn, when it received a report from its committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of 12 screened Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
Recall that the Senate, had on the 4th of July, 2017, vowed that requests from the presidency will not be considered until the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo withdraws a statement credited to him, wherein he was quoted to have said that the Senate does not need to confirm nominees from the executive arm.
As at the time of filing in this report, Acting President Osinbajo was yet to tender any apology or withdraw the controversial statement.
The position of the Senate a forthright ago, had followed the unveiling of a letter sent to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, urging the upper chamber to confirm Lanre Gbajabiamila as the substantive Director-General of the National Lottery Commission (NLC).
Read also: Despite myriad of challenges, Osinbajo says Nigeria among world’s greatest
Senator Ahmed Yerima from Zamfara state, raised Order 14 of the Senate Standing Rules. In his submissions, he argued that since the Acting President had already concluded that the Senate lacked the powers to confirm nominees, there was no need to acknowledge any letter from the executive on issues related to confirmation.
The Senate had accordingly resolved that it will suspend any confirmation of nominees from the executive until issues relating to the power of the Senate to confirm are resolved.
Lawmakers equally passed a resolution and re-enforced its earlier position that all nominees rejected by the Senate should be relieved of their duties, with a particular reference to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.
At Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate received the report from its INEC committee. The twelve nominees are Mrs Asmanu Sani Maikudi from Katsina State, Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun from Ondo State, Mahmud Isah from Kebbi State, Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju from Lagos State and Riskuwa Shehu from Sokoto State.
Others are Kassim Gana Geidam from Yobe State, Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa from Kano State, Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji from Oyo State, Samuel Egwu from Kogi State, Mike Igini from Delta State, Mustapha Zubairu from Niger State and Ahmad Bello Mahmud from Zamfara State.
The nominees are expected to be confirmed in the coming days or weeks.
By Ehisuan Odia…
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yanju omotodun
July 19, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Laughable
When two irons are struck together, one must bent, no matter who the hell they think they are, federal government in the executives remain number one.
Anita Kingsley
July 19, 2017 at 3:38 pm
The secret meeting the bench warmers had with Osinbajo recently has yielded. They cannot even stick to their words, cowards!
seyi jelili
July 20, 2017 at 6:21 am
Not because they can’t stick to their words but because they want the government to have a smooth course. So appreciate them
Animashaun Ayodeji
July 19, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Upon all the threats, the senate couldn’t make good use of any! Shame on them, the executives have eventually won the lawmakers. Another victory they will be celebrating in their offices right now.
Abeni Adebisi
July 19, 2017 at 5:00 pm
The senate and executives are expected to always work together to make Nigeria better, not fighting because of their useless egos. Now that the senate has reversed its words, it’s a sign that peace is reigning between the two arms
Balarabe musa
July 19, 2017 at 7:57 pm
Even they will finally make u turn to approve Magu as the authentic efcc boss. They are just kidding for now
seyi jelili
July 20, 2017 at 6:22 am
I am not sure they will ever make a Uturn on that one
Vincent Okafor
July 20, 2017 at 6:51 am
If they do that I’ll loose any respect I have for them. We Nigerians r so used to being told when nd how to shut up that we don’t know when one is fighting for democracy nd that stems from all d years of military rule.