Senate suspends confirmation of nominees indefinitely

The Nigerian Senate has suspended the confirmation of all nominees from the executive.

The Senate’s decision was sequel to a letter to the upper chamber seeking the confirmation of Lanre Gbajabiamila, as the director-general, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The lawmakers, however, dismissed Osinbajo’s request over the failure of the executive to obey certain decisions of the Senate.

The Senate further urged the Acting President to withdraw his earlier statement that the Senate does not have the powers to confirm nominations by the executive.

Speaking at plenary on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, Senator Issa Misau described Osinbajo’s letter as a case of double standard.

"I look at the issue of the confirmation brought today like a double standard or a kind of hypocrisy” Missau said.

"Clearly, it shows that they don't want this national assembly to function properly. There are people that the government wants them even without confirmation to work and there are certain people that they are bringing because they have interest.

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"This shows that it is a matter of interest and Mr President we are not able to define corruption properly in this national assembly because most times we associate corruption with financial misappropriation or has to do with money. But then again a lot of things that the highest forms of corruption in terms of appointment when it comes to appointment - they bring the appointment of friends without due process and that is corruption.

"We must stand and speak the truth no matter what, what they are doing is just blackmail because I remember when they somebody blow whistle - in the executive, ministers, former ex-governors, have never been investigated, even the minister castigating the national assembly on Lagos-Ibadan road, there is corruption allegation under him. But most times when they harass our people, we keep quiet, we don't hit back. This is issue of double standard, I hope Nigerians are watching, as long as we are operating the national assembly they must respect it," he added.

In his contribution, Senator Dino Melaye urged the Saraki to stop reading letters from the executive arm of government seeking Senate confirmation of any nominee.

“The Senate confirmed some Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the executive swore in some, and rejected some. Now he is sending us name. That is an insult and we cannot take it.

“Mr President, let it not be heard that it was during your time that the institution of the Senate lost its powers. I want to move a motion to prevent you (Saraki) from reading any letter from the executive seeking the confirmation of any nominee. It should become abominable,” Melaye said.

Saraki urged the executive to obey the resolutions of the institution of the Senate.