The Senate has suspended further confirmation of nominees for executive appointments pending the executive’s compliance with relevant provisions of law regarding appointments.
This came after the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had requested that the Senate confirms the appointment of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila as the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. In the letter dated 12 June 2017 which was read by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki (APC: Kwara) at the plenary session of Tuesday 4 July, 2017, Prof. Osinbajo stated that the confirmation of Mr. Gbajabiamila was for a duration of four (4) years, which may be renewable for a further term of four (4) years and no more on expiration.
However, Senators raised objections to this request citing the failure of the executive to honor its verdict regarding the rejection of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu. This is not the first time that the executive and the legislative arm would be at logger head over the continued stay of the acting EFCC Chairman.
It would be recalled that the Senate had passed a resolution on 17 May 2017 to investigate the alleged appointment of a new Director General of the National Lottery Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari without the approval of the Senate.
