Senate suspends confirmation of D.G, National Lottery Regulatory Commission over Osinbajo’s comment

The request for confirmation of Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila hit the rocks on Tuesday following the Senate’s rejection of Acting President’s letter to that effect on Tuesday.
The development followed a motion brought by Senator Sani Yerima of Zamfara West Senatorial district, saying that the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo made a comment that the Senate lacked power to confirm some government appointments.

The request for confirmation which was in line with section 8(18) generated heated debates particularly as it affected the powers of confirmation.
“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, it is inappropriate for us to consider this request in view of comments made by the Acting President previously that we lack powers to confirm nominees”, he said.
“You will also recall that his comments have generated divergent opinion among Senior Advocates Nigeria (SAN) and for us to go ahead would be counterproductive”, he added.

George Sekibo on his part noted that developments in the recent past showed that the functions of Legislature were been taken away, while calling on the Senate to rise up.

He said: “Section 13 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended stated that the powers of law making shall be vested in the legislature,” adding that the Senate should not allow itself to be rubbished.
He pointed out that lawmaking was a basic function of the legislature, adding that appointments made by the executive were meant to be confirmed.

He wondered if the Acting President was in touch with the constitution on the issue of confirmation.
George Sekibo further condemned executive orders democratic setting, saying that it was in breach of the laws.
“In democracy across the world, there is nothing like executive order as Professor Osinbajo was doing. If a nominee was rejected and he was still retained, it constitute breach and to a large extent, the laws were being disobeyed,” he added
Senator Isa Hamman Misau representing Bauchi Central Senatorial district described Osinbajo’s antics as hypocritical.
“What the Acting President was doing amounts to hypocrisy and corruption. The Acting President is involved in protecting his interest and this amounts to corruption if corruption was to be defined in its proper form.”
Misau also decried EFCC’s operations in the recent times, allaying fears that they may come after lawmakers one after the other if their activities were not checked.