Senate in session
The Senate has resolved to suspend all issues relating to the confirmation of nominees from the Executive until the matter of who has the right to confirm nominees is resolved.
The upper chamber took the decision on Tuesday at its first sitting upon resumption from Sallah break. The drama started after President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, had read a letter from the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, requesting the confirmation of Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director General of National Lottery Commission.
But Senator Ahmed Yerima, citing order 14 as regards the letter of confirmation, reminded the Senate that the Acting President had once stated that the Senate does not have the power to confirm appointees, insisting that the issue must be clarified by the Senate before going ahead with the consideration of the request.
Recall that Osinbajo, a professor of law, had earlier said that the Senate had no right or power to confirm nominees for political positions. The statement had irked not a few senators who tongue-lashed the Acting President, with some reminding him that confirmation of nominees was a constitutional provision.
Senator George Sekibo, who was sacked by Tribunal last week Thursday but appealed the judgment supported Yerima’s position and advised that the Senate should suspend the request till the issue of power of confirmation is cleared.
Senator Sola Adeyeye said that every public servant is to obey the laws of the country as no one is given an exception to dance around the law, in a veiled riposte to the Acting President’s statement .
All the senators who spoke including Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said that the law must be obeyed by all.
Thereafter, Saraki ruled that the matter needs to be addressed and put behind the Senate. “We must respect the constitution and laws enacted by National Assembly,” he said.
The lawmakers also asked the Acting President to respect the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly as relating to the confirmation of nominees. The senate demanded that the Acting President withdrew his statement that the Senate does not have the power to confirm nominees.
