Some members of the Senate have called for the suspension of consideration and confirmation of appointments brought to the upper chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The lawmakers hinged their call on a comment credited to acting President Yemi Osinbajo that executive appointments do not require legislative approval based on Section 171 of the Constitution.
The call by the aggrieved Senators on Tuesday followed the reading of a letter from Osinbajo, asking the Senate to confirm the nomination of Lanra Gbajabiamila as Chairman of the National Lottery Commission.
While strongly condemning Osinbajo for the comment, the lawmakers successively asked that an embargo should be placed on confirmation of executive appointments until the powers of the legislature are respected.
Threatening that legislators might move against the leadership of the Senate if it failed to take a drastic action against the executive in 48 hours, the lawmakers said invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to any member should ignored.
Senator @dino_melaye reads the Prayers
I) The Senate should suspend all issues relating to the confirmation of nominees.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
II) Acting President must respect the constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly as relating to the confirmation of nominees.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
III) The Ag.President should respect the rejection of nominees by the Senate.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
Senator @SenMarafaKabir adds an additional prayer stating that the Ag.President must withdraw his statement saying the Senate doesn't…
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
…have the power to confirm nominees.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
Senator Bassey Akpan seconds the additional prayer.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 4, 2017
