Why Senate will not screen, confirm President’s ministerial nominees

The Senate will not screen or confirm President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest ministerial nominees, a source has told Pulse.

The two nominees have been identified as Professor Stephen Ikanyo Ochenyi from Kogi and Suleman Zamah Hassan from Gombe.

“We don't plan to treat anything from the Presidency till they follow the Constitution over all the decisions of the Senate,” the source, who chose to remain anonymous, said.

The Senate, on Tuesday, refused to screen the 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) nominated by President Buhari because the president’s appointees have been disrespecting the Senate.

“Senator Nwaoboshi suggests that Senate may step down the Confirmation since they are acting & @MBuhari's appointees disrespect the Senate,” the Senate wrote via its Twitter handle on Tuesday.

The Senate is referring to the refusal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and Customs boss, Hameed Ali to appear before it despite repeated summons.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola also refused to honour an invitation by the Senate Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) while Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance on Tuesday despite being duly invited.

The Senate is also angry about the Presidency’s decision to ignore its rejection of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“Sen. Uroghide also wants the request to be stand down, cites Magu's case, that after their decision he is still acting Chairman of the EFCC,” the Senate Twitter handle wrote on Tuesday.

The Senate also accused Magu of terrorizing it because he was rejected by the upper legislative chamber.

The Senate, on March 15, refused to confirm Magu for the position citing a report by the Department of State Services (DSS) which questioned his integrity.

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Ministerial nominee, Ochenyi is set to replace late Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi who died in a car crash along with his wife, Blessing and their eldest son, Joshua on March 6, 2016.

Hassan, on the other hand, is expected to replace former Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed who is now the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.