Senator Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate and his colleagues are poised for a fresh war with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as the senators sent a strong message to the Acting President that they won’t take it likely if he fails to implement the resolutions of the Upper Chamber.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo
The position of the Senate 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).
Prior to the unveiling of the letter, the Senate had a closed door session which lasted for almost an hour. It was learnt that senators discussed extensively the “flagrant refusal by the executive to implement resolutions passed by the Senate.”
As soon as the Senate reconvened, 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 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.
It also resolved at Tuesday’s plenary that the acting President must respect the constitution as it relates to the issue of confirmation.
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.
It also urged Osinbajo to withdraw a statement that the Senate does not have the powers to confirm nominees.
Saraki who presided over the day’s legislative business, while making his concluding remarks, told Osinbajo to ensure that all resolutions passed by the Senate are implemented.
Saraki said: “This is a matter that we have to address and put behind us. As a society, we cannot pass laws and they will not be obeyed. These resolutions passed by the Senate must be adhered to by the Acting President or we hope that he takes appropriate actions.”