Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday issued a seven day ultimatum to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to swear-in and allocate portfolio to the two Ministers designates from Kogi and Gombe states.
The Senate had on the 3rd May, 2017 screened and confirmed Stephen Ocheni as ministers, following their nominations by President Muhammadu Buhari in March.
Hassan, Gombe State, is to replace Amina Mohammed who left Nigeria’s public service to take up top responsibility at the United Nations.
The House passed the resolution sequel to the adopt of a motion of urgent national importance, sponsored by Sunday Karimi (PDP-Kogi) and three other lawmakers.
Karimi who argued that the “Federal Executive Council (FEC) as currently constituted is in flagrant breach of Section 14(2) and Section 147(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999”, argued that Kogi and Gombe states are not represented in the Council.
“The 1999 constitution vest the Executive power of the federation in the President and such power may be exercised directly through the Vice President and Ministers of the Government of the federation or officer in the public service of the federation.
“Section 130 of the ground norm provides that there shall be for the federation a president who shall be the head of state and Chief executive of the federation.
“Section 145(1) of the constitution, provides that whenever the president of the federation is unable to discharge the functions the functions of his office for whatsoever reason, the President shall transmit a written declaration to the president of the senate or speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect, and until he transmit to them a declaration to the contrary, the Vice President shall perform the functions of the president ad Acting President.
“Section 147 provides that there shall be such offices of Ministers if the federation as may be established by President. Such Ministers shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Section 143(3) shall comply with the principles of federal character, accordingly, each state shall have at least one Minister.
“The House is cognizant that since 3rd May 2017, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has confirmed the appointment of Professor Stephen Ocheni from Kogi state and Suleiman Zarma Hassan from Gombe state as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and up till now they have not been sworn-in or a located any office, portfolio or ministry.
“The House is worried that Kogi State and Gombe State are not represented in the Federal Executive Council, thus the FEC as currently constituted is in flagrant breach of Section 14(2) and Section 147(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”
While ruling, Lasun Yussuff, Deputy Speaker referred the motion to House Committee on Legislative Compliance for further legislative action.
Credit: BusinessDay
