President
Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki
|
By tomorrow, legislators
who have been on recess will return to the Red Chamber to commence their
legislative duties needed for the stimulation of the country’s economy. Before the latest break,
the legislators had gone on recess three times in view of the hiccups that
trailed the emergence of Senate President Bukola Saraki on June 9th when the
8th Assembly was proclaimed.
Like
the three previous recesses, the six weeks holiday which will elapse tomorrow,
was equally characterized by issues and events that put the Red Chamber and the
lawmakers in the news.
Daily
Trust report continues:
Although
some of the issues have come and gone, those still hanging will no doubt
dominate the debate of the lawmakers, and as well shape their activities for
months to come.
Barring any last minute change, by 10.am the senators would be on their coveted seats and there is the likelihood that in hush tones, they will start with the discussion of the docking of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Barring any last minute change, by 10.am the senators would be on their coveted seats and there is the likelihood that in hush tones, they will start with the discussion of the docking of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
About
a week ago, Saraki was docked at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over 13-count
criminal charges, bordering on false declaration of assets and operation of
foreign account during his eight years tenure as governor of Kwara State.
In
the presence of 51 of his colleagues, embattled Saraki pleaded not guilty to
the criminal charges preferred against him by the anti-graft agency. To many of
the lawmakers, the trial of Saraki was ignited by the Villa.
For
instance, at an emergency meeting attended by about 50 senators, they allegedly
blamed the Presidency for Saraki’s ordeal. In fact, an attempt by Deputy Senate
leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who chaired the secret meeting to exonerate
President Muhammadu Buhari from Saraki’s travail, was reportedly rebuffed by
the angry lawmakers.
Saraki
himself in a statement had blamed his ordeal on people whom he said are angry
with his emergence as the Senate President. To him, his trial was parts of ploy
to get him out of the Senate President’s seat through the backdoor.
As
widely reported, on June 9, Saraki had allegedly connived with senators who are
mainly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as their president and
number three citizen in the country.
It
was widely believed that Saraki’s ‘marriage’ with the PDP senators gave room
for the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.
Probably,
after discussing the Saraki saga, next to come to the senators’ minds would be
the issue of the screening of the ministerial list.
Though
the National Assembly was yet to get any information on the matter, Buhari had
while speaking in Ghana pledged to appoint his ministers this September.
Already,
it was widely reported that the ministerial nominees have been screened by the
Department for State Services (DSS).
So,
any moment from now the names of the nominees would be forwarded to the Red
Chamber for screening in line with constitutional provision.
With
less than 72 hours to the expiration of Buhari’s pledge on the constitution of
his cabinet, Senate watchers are of the view that the frosty relationship
between the Villa and the leadership of the Senate will shape the screening of
the ministerial nominees.
Pundits
believe that the two camps in the Senate will slug it out during the exercise.
Sources said the Unity Forum, which is Senator Ahmed Lawan’s camp, will be on ground to ensure the successful screening of the nominees.
Sources said the Unity Forum, which is Senator Ahmed Lawan’s camp, will be on ground to ensure the successful screening of the nominees.
For
their part, the senators in the camp of Saraki, popularly known as the ‘Like
Minds’ may likely try to frustrate the exercise in view of the ordeal of one of
their own.
Contacted
on phone, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly
Matters (Senate) Senator Ita S. Enang declined comment.
Our
correspondent reports that the screening of the ministerial nominees would be
the first major duty of Enang, who was appointed by Buhari in August.
Before
Enang’s appointment, the Senate had screened and confirmed the Service Chiefs
as well as some of the Resident Electoral Commission of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted by Buhari.
Speaking
in an interview, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) said the screening would
not be business as usual.
“The
Senate is not a praise chapel and as such you should not expect it to play the
role of a chorister in every issue. The Senate is not also an opposition forum
or a convergence of forces antagonistic to the executive or judicial arm of the
state. It is an independent democratic institution with clearly spelt out
functions and one of which is to screen political appointees.
“I’m not aware of any plot to punish or penalize any ministerial appointee because of the Senate president. I advised the Senate President to confidently appear before the CCT, if he had nothing to hide. I’m advising the appointees to confidently appear before the Senate if they have nothing to hide,” he said.
“I’m not aware of any plot to punish or penalize any ministerial appointee because of the Senate president. I advised the Senate President to confidently appear before the CCT, if he had nothing to hide. I’m advising the appointees to confidently appear before the Senate if they have nothing to hide,” he said.
He
said all ministers will be duly screened according to the rules and ethics of
the Senate.
However, he said there is a caveat. “The idea of take-a bow-and-go may not be adopted.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said there will not be problem with the clearance of the ministerial nominees.
However, he said there is a caveat. “The idea of take-a bow-and-go may not be adopted.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said there will not be problem with the clearance of the ministerial nominees.
“Senators
are perfectly aware of our obligations and oath of office not to allow our
personal interest affect our official conducts. We assure Nigerians that there
is no problem whatsoever.
“We also assure Nigerians that there is no problem between the President and the Senate. It is only mischief makers that are trying to create the impression that all is not well.
“We also assure Nigerians that there is no problem between the President and the Senate. It is only mischief makers that are trying to create the impression that all is not well.
“We
are solidly behind Buhari in all his programmes and policies. We assure
Nigerians that they will not hear of any friction between us and Mr. President," he said.
Will the senators vent
their anger on the President’s Ministerial nominees? This will be unraveled in
the coming days.
No comments:
Post a Comment