Sagay: Senate lacks authority to summon me

Prof. Sagay

Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) yesterday said the Senate cannot summon him for expressing an opinion.

He said the Senate lacks the authority to summon a private citizen.

Sagay said the lawmakers were embarking on a “futile” exercise that could have “embarrassing consequences”.

According to Sagay, he does not fall within the category of government officials that the Senate can summon.

He said he only exercised his constitutionally guaranteed right to hold an opinion.

Sagay said a government official can be summoned during an amendment of a law that affects the official’s agency, or where the official is directly involved in spending monies appropriated by the National Assembly.

The eminent professor of law said any senator who feels that his reputation was damaged by his comments could seek redress in court.

He said the Senate was not a court of law before whom he could be ordered to appear.

Sagay was reacting to a move by the Senate to summon him over comments he made on the lawmakers.

The PACAC chairman also faulted the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months, saying it was not justifiable.

He said: “I expressed an opinion in the newspaper. It’s my constitutional right. Now, they say they’re inviting me.

“I’ve not got the summons yet, but I’m saying that they absolutely have no authority or power to summon me before them, just as I have no power or authority to summon them before me. Our powers in that regard on virtual summons are exactly the same.

“So, it is a futile exercise. My advice to them is to ask their legal advisers to tell them how limited their powers are under Sections 82 to 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Then they will know that I am far, far outside the category of people they can ever invite. And they would save themselves the embarrassment of the consequences of that futile invitation.”

Asked if the Senate has the right to order the arrest of a citizen who refuses to appear before it, Sagay said: “They can do so if that citizen comes within the small group of people they can invite.

“Usually when they invite, there are one of two reasons: they want to make a new law or improve a law, and you’re an official in that area, an official probably in government in that area, and they invite you to interrogate you so they can improve or get ideas on improving that law they intend to make. That’s one.

“Additionally, when they have voted money for particular government activities, and you’re the one who is overseeing that activity and spending the money they have allocated, they can invite you to give an account of how you spend the money in order to improve efficiency in that type of expenditure or to check corruption. Those are the two groups of people they can invite. They should know that that has nothing to do with me.

“They absolutely have no authority to invite a private citizen who expresses an opinion. They have been defeated in court so many times for trying to invite people over whom they have no power.

“So, that’s why I said they should just save themselves that embarrassment. They can’t intimidate anybody. They can’t stop me from expressing my views, which are guaranteed by the Constitution.

“They cannot become a court for me to appear before. Courts are established, and I can only appear before a court, not before them.”

Sagay said any senator who feels his reputation was damaged by his comments could sue. “O, definitely. That’s his constitutional right and then, we’ll meet there,” he said.

On Senator Ndume’s suspension, Sagay said: “Clearly there’s no basis for that suspension. He brought something that the whole country was talking about to their attention. They had an opportunity of clearing themselves. That’s the kind of offence for which he is suspended for six months”.

EFCC finds $86m Paris Club refund in NGF’s account

MORE cash believed to be part of the London-Paris Club loan refund has been found by  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The US$86,546,526.65 was remitted into the account of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

The account is said to have been depleted to about $17million as at the time the probe started.

The EFCC is probing how the cash got into the account, who remitted it and for what purpose.

“The cash was paid into the forum’s domiciliary account in GTB tagged: 0023577047 with sort code 058083215,” the source said, adding that the payment followed a November 21, 2016 memo on the remittance into the NGF’s account which was titled “Consultants fee”.

The cash was described as consultancy and legal fees as the case with the N19 billion which was allegedly diverted from the refund.

“This development has justified the earlier peg of our investigation that the part of the London-Paris Club loan refunds was paid into two accounts of the NGF” the source said, pleading not to be named because he has no authority to talk to the media.

“Operatives are tracking how the $86.5m was used and for what purpose. We want to know whether the affected financial and legal consultants exist or not.”

The Nation had exclusively reported that the Presidency was uncomfortable with how some governors managed the refund.

The Federal Government released N522.74 billion to 35 states as refund of over-deductions on London-Paris Club loans.

President Muhammadu Buhari directed the release of the refund to enable states to pay salaries and pensions.

But more than N19billion of the refund has been enmeshed in controversy over payment of consultancy fees. Some consultants were yet to be paid as at press time.

Some of the infractions noticeable in the management of the first tranche of the London-Paris Club loan refund are:

• computation of state records done at a private home in Maitama, Abuja;
• accounts initially opened in the names of two lead consultants but the details of who to be paid were later changed;
• N19b remitted into two NGF accounts;
• commission to consultants cut from 10% to 2% but 5% was on paper as paid;
• the CBN paid directly to each state without the knowledge of the Accountant-General of the Federation; and
• part of the N19b commission was traced to a governor’s account and some individuals, including some members of the National Assembly.

It was also discovered that besides the central consultants, governors hired other consultants, with some conceding about 10-20% commission to them.

In some states, governors served as consultants through proxies.

Some consultants are yet to be paid because the NGF changed the commission formula as soon as the first tranche was remitted, The Nation learnt.

Besides, some governors deviated from using 25 per cent  to 50 per cent for payment of outstanding salaries and pension as agreed with President Buhari.

Falana: time to end Senate’s impunity

•Femi Falana

Citing constitutional provisions, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana said the Red Chamber erred for demanding Magu’s sack by the President.

He said the Senate, relying on the powers conferred on it under Section 3 (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004, refused to confirm Magu’s appointment as the agency’s substantive chairman.

According to Falana, the time to end impunity in the Senate was now, referring to Ndume’s suspension and Sagay’s invitation.

His words: “The decision of the President cannot be faulted by virtue of section 171 (1) (d)  of the Constitution which provides that the President is vested with the power to appoint the head of any extra ministerial department to hold office in an acting capacity. Such appointment does not require the confirmation of the Senate.

“Completely aggrieved by the decision of the President to exercise his constitutional powers in the circumstance the Senate has decided not to confirm the 27 newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners  until Mr. Magu has been removed from office as EFCC Chairman. In asking for the removal of Mr. Magu the Senate said that the anti graft czar has been terrorising the Senate. Should the Senate resort to such cheap blackmail because the embattled EFCC helmsman has tefused to compromise the  prosecution and investigation of about 15 senators alleged to have been involved in serious economic and financial crimes? Why should the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki not be terrorised for the criminal diversion of N3.5 billion from the London/Paris Club loan refund?

“Before now, sharp disagreements between the National Assembly and the executive had been submitted  to the courts for judicial resolution in line with the rule of law. At the twilight of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the Attorney-General of the Federation challenged the purported amendment of the Constitution at the Supreme Court. Based on the interlocutory injunction granted by the Supreme Court, the National Assembly suspended further deliberations on the amendment of the Constitution. Instead of following the path of rule of law and constitutionalism, the Senate has completely thrown caution to the winds.

“In the atmosphere of impunity which has enveloped the Senate, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay, has been ordered to appear before the Senate for having the temerity to criticise the  senators. In El Rufai v House of Representatives (2003) 46 WRN 12, the Court of Appeal held that the respondent lacked the power to summon the appellant over a defamatory statement made by him.

“The purported suspension of Senator Ali Ndume is the height of the serial illegality. In Hon. Dino Melaye v House of Representatives (unreported), the Federal High Court declared the indefinite suspension illegal and unconstitutional on the ground that a legislator could not be suspended for more than 14 days. But in the House of Assembly v Hon Danna, the Court of Appeal held that a legislative house is not competent to suspend a member even for a single day as it is a violation of the democratic rights of members of his/her constituency.

“In view of the settled state of the law as expantiated upon in the aforementioned cases, the Senate is advised to reverse its illegal decisions and quickly return to the path of constitutionalism in the interest of lasting democracy in the country. However, if the Senate remains intransigent, the Executive branch of the government should adopt decisive measures to terminate the rein of impunity in the National Assembly. ”

When you wear Boo’s shirt and slay-Stella Damasus says as she rocks her husband’s shirt

Actress Stella Damasus stepped out in her husband, Daniel Ademinokan’s shirt and wrote

When you wear Boo’s shirt and still slay. God is good all the time. Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

FC Barcelona backs Messi, says FIFA ban unfair

Spanish clubside FC Barcelona on Wednesday described Lionel Messi’s four-match international ban with Argentina as “unfair and totally disproportionate’’.

The 29-year-old Barca forward was suspended by world football ruling body FIFA for directing “insulting words’’ at an assistant referee during Thursday’s 1-0 win over Chile.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Argentina captain remains free to play for his Spanish La Liga club.

In a statement, FC Barcelona expressed their “surprise and indignation’’ at the FIFA disciplinary ruling.

“The club considers the four-match suspension finally imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate,” it said.

“Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct both on and off the pitch.”

Messi’s suspension was announced just five and a half hours before Argentina’s 0-2 FIFA World Cup qualifier defeat by Bolivia on Tuesday.

The result saw them drop to fifth in the table, outside the top-four spots for automatic qualification for Russia 2018.

Messi’s ban means he will not be part of three of his country’s four remaining qualifiers.(NAN)

NYSC, NSCDC decry drowning of corps members in Bayelsa

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa State, Wednesday, lamented death of corps members in the state through boat mishaps.

The two agencies raised the concern when the new state Commandant, NYSC, Mrs. Loto Bolade paid a courtesy visit to the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Desmond Agu, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Corps members serving in some riverine communities in the state have been losing their lives following boat mishaps.

But Agu urged NYSC authorities to impress it upon youths participating in the scheme especially persons posted to the coastal areas to always make use of their life jackets when traveling.

He said: “Bayelsa State has a different terrain. It is 70 per cent water. So, always tell the corps members to carry their life jackets and wear them whenever they are traveling. Even if they can swim, they should not be over-confident.

“NYSC should also ensure that they are constantly in touch with youths posted to remote areas. Always keep in touch with the youths and ensure that their employers are treating them well”.

Agu said his command would always contribute to the success of NYSC programmes in the state by providing the needed security.

He advised that all federal agencies should work together to assist one another in the discharge of their duties adding that agencies should not work in acrimony.

In her response, Bolade said NYSC was working hard to ensure that members of the corps posted to rural areas in the state were given life jackets.

“We will continue to talk to the corps members posted to the riverine areas to always wear their life jackets. We will keep talking to them”, she said.

Bolade, who was redeployed from Niger State, thanked the NSCDC for its cooperation especially in the areas of security.

She appealed to the command for more support and demanded security presence at the Kaiama camp for the forthcoming orientation programme.

Senate admits buying bullet proof SUV for N62m not N298m

Senator Saraki's bulletproof range rover also seized

The Senate on Tuesday admitted that it bought a bullet proof Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle ( SUV ) as had been reported in the media. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi told newsmen in Abuja that indeed the senate procured the said vehicle but not at the price that was being reported.

Sabi said that the vehicle cost was procured at $298,000 (N49.1 million) and not N298, million as was being reported in the media. According to the spokesperson of the Senate, the vehicle was procured in 2015 for $298 at an exchange rate of N165 to a dollar.

“Our attention has been drawn to the various false and mischievous reports in the media about the price of the vehicle which the Senate was said to have bought as part of its convoy but was later abandoned when it got impounded by the Customs over controversy surrounding import duty payment. “The correct price of the vehicle when it was imported in 2015 is $298,000 which at the prevailing rate of N165 to a dollar is about N49, 170. “The Senate paid N62.5m for the vehicle in November 2015. This is contrary to the mischief by those who decided to turn the $298,000 to N298 million as the price of the vehicle. “For the avoidance of doubt, the price the Senate paid for that vehicle is N62.5m and not N298 million.

“The Senate will appreciate it if all reports relating to the legislative institution, particularly on this vehicle matter, are reported with accuracy and all facts put in proper perspective. “We urge journalists to avoid sensationalism. The Senate is a responsible institution and those who believe that when they have issues to explain before it, the next thing to do is to resort to falsehood, blackmail, muck-raking and mud-slinging, should know that they are just overheating the polity and undermining our democratic institution. “Finally, the Senate wish to reiterate our total commitment to upholding the rule of law and to work for Nigerians, in accordance with our constitution,” he said.

The Senate had been in the eye of the storm over its probe of the activities of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) with media reports alleging that the upper legislative chamber was on a revenge mission. Media reports alleged that attention of the Senate on the NSC was due to the fact that the service impounded an SUV allegedly procured by the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki. The report said that the service refused to bulge in spite of the intervention of the Senate to release the SUV.

Meanwhile, at an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the importer of the vehicle absolved Saraki of any complicity in the importation. The President of the Senate who also appeared before the committee stressed that he did not import any vehicle and does not own the vehicle that was purportedly seized. He urged that the Senate as an institution must be strengthened so as to save the nation’s democracy.

Buhari sends two ministerial nominees to Senate for confirmation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday forwarded names of two ministerial nominees – Stephen Ikani Ocheni (Kogi) and Suleiman Hassan (Gombe)- to Senate for confirmation.

Ocheni is to replace the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi while Hassan will replace Amina Mohammed who was recently appointed the United Nations Deputy Secretary -General.

Hassan was one of the 47 ambassadorial nominees confirmed by the Senate last week.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the President’s letter on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

It will be captured in the Senate Order Paper before it will be referred to the relevant Senate Committee or considered in the committee of the whole.

The President’s letter read: “In accordance with section 147 (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. I have the honour to forward the under listed ministerial nominees for confirmation of the Senate

“Stephen Nkani Ocheni (professor) Kogi State and Suleiman Zarma Hassan (Gombe State.)

“Copies of their curriculum vitae attached herewith.

“It is my hope that this exercise will receive the usual kind of expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Dokpesi received N2.1bn from ONSA-Witness

Chief Raymond Dokpesi

A prosecution witness, Mrs Zainab Kokobili, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that Raymond Dokpesi, received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Kokobili, the third prosecution witness to testify in Dokpesi’s trial, confirmed that the money was paid in four different occasions from the ONSA.
Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Holdings Investment Company Ltd., was arraigned on a six-count charge of money laundering and procurement-related offences.
Kokobili, a banker with First Bank, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Olaleke Atoglabe.
She said that as a relationship manager, she manages the account of Daar Holdings Investment Company and other accounts in the bank.
She said on Feb. 6, 2016 she was invited to EFCC office through their Fraud and Investigation Unit to make statements on the case.
Kokobili read from the company’s statement of account, saying that N2.12 billion was paid into the account in four tranches of N500 million, N500 million, N620 million and N500 million between January and March 2015.
She said the balance on the company’s account was N113, 885.28 before the first tranche of N500 million was paid into the account on Jan. 22, 2015.
“On Jan. 22, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million, it was a credit. Before the payment of N500 million the balance on the account was N113,885.28.
“On Feb. 4, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million.
“On Feb. 9, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N620 million only. It was also a credit.
“On March 19, 2015 – the narration is RTGS being payment by ONSA: N500 million,” the witness said.
She also said that N2.12 billion was disbursed from Daar Investments and Holdings Limited after receiving instructions from Dokpesi.
“The customer sent instructions to the bank for payments. Money was paid after getting confirmation from the customer.
“High Chief Raymond Anthony Alegho Dokpesi was the signatory who sent instructions for the payments,” she added.
Justice John Tsoho admitted in evidence the witness statement made at the EFCC’s office and bundles of documents submitted to the chairman of EFCC.
Under cross examination by the defence counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi, the witness said that Daar Investment was a customer of the bank not Raymond Alegho Dokpesi.
The case was adjourned till May 24 and May 25 for continuation of trial.

Senate summons Sagay over ‘disparaging’ comments

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to invite the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay, over his alleged disparaging comments against the upper chamber.
Sagay’s invitation is seen as further escalation of the current face-off between the Senate and Presidency which blew open on Tuesday with the Senate’s suspension of the consideration and confirmation of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The presidential is expected appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to explain why he allegedly described senators as “childish and irresponsible” for pushing President Buhari to sack the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, within two weeks.
The PACAC chairman is also expected to explain why he allegedly said the Senate is “filled with people of questionable character who put personal interest ahead of the nation.”
The lawmakers said it is necessary to invite the professor of jurisprudence to name the questionable characters in the Senate.

The resolution followed a motion of privilege by Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South), who told the Senate that Sagay infringed on his integrity, character and privilege as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senate flexes muscles with Presidency over SGF, Magu

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

‘No confirmation of RECs without Lawal’s, Ag. EFCC chair’s sack’
SENATORS bared their fangs against the Presidency yesterday. They suspended the screening and confirmation of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) nominees.
The Senate declared its readiness to defend its integrity against attacks by some persons it did not name, signifying a possible showdown between the two arms of government.
The upper chamber unanimously resolved to suspend the consideration and confirmation of RECs nominated by President Buhari to protest what it called disregard for resolutions by the Presidency.
Announcing the resolution after about two hours meeting behind closed doors, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the upper chamber would not succumb to blackmail and intimidation in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

Saraki did not disclose the identity of the “external forces” he said were attacking the Senate as an institution.
His words: “The Senate in a closed session discussed the various attacks on the National Assembly, especially on the Senate, for performing its constitutional duties.
“The Senate resolved to defend the integrity of the Senate against such attacks and will not be intimidated from carrying out our constitutional duties at all times.”
It was learnt that the Red Chamber’s position may not be unconnected to its face-off with some members of the executive, including the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal.
The Senate rejected for the second time the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman on March 15.
A National Assembly source disclosed yesterday: “The Senate is not happy that despite its rejection of Magu, the President still keeps him in office in an acting capacity.”
The resolution to suspend the consideration of the RECs’ nomination followed a motion by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

But for Nwaoboshi’s motion, the names of the RECs would have been read the second time and referred to the Senate Committee on Independent National Eelectoral Commission (INEC).
Nwaoboshi prayed the Senate to suspend action on the nominees for two weeks to allow the Senate President convey the feelings of the Senate to President Buhari over alleged disregard of its resolutions.
The senator said: “Mr. President, taking a leave from America which started this presidential election. Recently the National Security Adviser was sent to the Senate of America and because of his belief in Russia he was disqualified.
“What am I saying? Issues like this have to transcend the issue of political parties or where you have lived for the interest of Nigerians and also to protect our constitution and protect our democracy.
“Recently in this Senate, we have dealt with the issue of confirmation and where are we today? The chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay went to the press and said that the Senate merely confirms.
“This is not expected of somebody who had lectured Constitutional Law in the university, a professor of Law, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and, of course, a chairman of such a big body to say that the legislature merely confirms, that the legislature has no power.
“Here are we again today, now being given a list to confirm and we merely confirm. Look at the list here, we have eight of them here out of 27, eight of them are for reappointment, which means they are acting already, they are already working and they are still in position.
“Prof. Sagay will cite again Section 171, Subsection (D) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that even if we don’t confirm them, he will say ‘continue to work’.
“You can imagine this kind of advice that these kinds of persons are giving to Mr. President. They are telling Mr. President to disregard and disrespect the institution, the legislature.
“Mr. President, lets us not take such a precedence. We cannot destroy our democracy because certain persons, certain individuals feel that it is only their belief or what they want is what will happen in this country.
“This country does not belong to them; this country belongs to the Nigerian people; the Nigerian people have elected us; they have given us the power to look into those names sent to us for confirmation and to look into their credentials.
“But when you denigrate such an institution that have the power to confirm and use the word merely, we could not ignore it coming from somebody of that status.
“My position on this matter is that since our confirmation is ‘merely’, let us suspend it until we know whether we have the power as given to us by the Constitution to look into confirmation matters or any other status.”
Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) said: “In addition to what Nwaoboshi said, which is the constitutional requirement that this Senate has to confirm nominations sent by the executive arm of government, the act establishing these agencies of government have specified clearly that these officers of these agencies whose appointments will be made by Mr. President have to be confirmed by the Senate.
”We are only performing our statutory role and, if by chance, Mr. President sends a name to the Senate for confirmation and they are not confirmed, what happens is that the President is at liberty to send another name but it must be that the Senate too must be properly informed of what has happened to the confirmation either the one that has been upheld or the one that has been turned down by the senate. We deserve the right to know.
“We cannot keep confirming names or turning down names of nominees of Mr. President only for them to be put in basket, particularly the one that happened recently; we don’t know what has happened.
“These persons cannot keep acting even when we have turned them down because as it is now they are acting and their names have been sent in for confirmation and we don’t know what has happened in the case of the EFCC.
“Specifically speaking, is he acting today? If the President knew that he was not going to honour our refusal or rejection of his nominee, they shouldn’t have sent him in the first place, which would have meant an outright violation of the law establishing EFCC and of course, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.”
But Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) countered the two senators’ position.
Aliero said: “I rise to oppose what my two colleagues have just said for the reason that there is already an impression that is created, particularly by the media that the INEC is not ready for the conduct of 2019 election. The 2019 election is very crucial to us and the preparation and the conduct of the 2019 election is the submission of resident electoral commissioners to the senate for screening and approval.
“Without that, INEC will never be ready for the 2019 elections, even though what they said is true. I want to ask that we consider the screening of this list and if there is any observation on any nominee, it should be done at the screening stage.
“I will want to respectfully say that some of the nominees that are set to be on reappointment they have already left the office and they have served their term for four years.”
Deputy Whip Francis Alimekhana (Edo North), was more vocal in his support that the confirmation of the RECs should be kept in view.
He said: “I beg to differ from the suggestion of my colleague, Senator Aliero. It is better to do something and do it well. All these nominees reappointed, new appointment, what if we refuse one of them, what will happen? That is the question that the distinguished senators are asking the executive. There is no need to disapprove one and he (President) goes back to say you can continue to act.
“The EFCC chairman that we disqualified in this hall is he acting? Among the report that are agog in the papers, he is behind it. Magu is terrorising us because we disqualified him and we cannot hide it. We disqualified Magu and he is terrorising our people because we disqualified him and he is still acting and they are still bringing in nominees for us to confirm. If they know they can do it alone, let them do it.”
Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah urged his colleagues to be cautious.
Na’Allah said: “This is a defining moment in our journey to nationhood. Having had the privilege of being a leader in this Senate, I have always prided myself with the fact that this Senate is imbued with men of intelligence, courage and character, with determination to play a fundamental role in our journey towards nationhood.
“I have always said that it consists of former governors, former ministers, former captains of industries. What that means is that at each point we are being called upon to decide on an issue that affects this nation.
“We must show that we have superiority of thinking and we have more commitment than those anti-democratic forces that survive outside the chambers of the National Assembly. I think this is one situation where that call is relevant and important.
”I share the sentiments of my colleagues on this issue. I am in great difficulty to disagree with more convincing reasons as to why I think the Senate will thread cautiously on the request by my colleagues for us to stand down this. I think this matter is going to be referred to the committee, we still have enough time.”
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu noted that some of the positions of the RECs had been vacant for more than one year.
He said that any delay should not be blamed on the Senate but on the Executive that failed to submit the nominees on time.
Ekweremadu said Saraki should be allowed to convey Senators’ feelings to President Buhari on his appointments, noting that it was necessary to do so.
He proposed that the consideration of the nominees should be stood down for one week.
Before a vote could be taken on Ekweremadu’s motion, Nwaoboshi moved that the matter should be suspended for two weeks.
Senator Clifford Odia (Edo Central) seconded.
When Saraki put the resolution to vote, it was unanimously endorsed.