A legislative consultant and public policy analyst, Chibuzor Okereke, says no Senate committee has the power to confirm any ambassadorial nominees who are undergoing screening at the red chamber of the National Assembly.
Okereke made this known on Thursday during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST.
He was reacting to the drama that played out at the Senate on Thursday during the screening of the ambassadorial nominees, where lawmakers clashed with each other.
“I will start by saying it was an unfortunate scenario. The committee is actually a miniature plenary.
“If you look at Section 62(4) of the constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, it empowers the legislature to create committees that are relevant to their work.
“It also stated that the powers of the committee shall not be exercised in such a manner to erode the powers of the legislature and plenary. It simply means that the committees do not have finality.
“They simply meet, consider issues and make recommendation to the Senate or House of Representatives at plenary for consideration, approval and adoption.
“Now what happened is that both Senator Ali Ndume and Senator Adams Oshiomhole breached Order 52 of the standing orders of the Senate, and that Order 52 is on rules of debate, rules of engagement, how you engage with your colleague.
“But one other thing was very manifest, the inexperience of the chairman. He appeared not to be in charge of the committee, because, if you look at it on the surface, Senator Oshiomhole simply refused to be bullied or intimidated.
“The committees conducting ambassadorial screenings are not aware of the provisions and limitations of the committee
“They keep declaring everyone approved and confirmed at the screenings. As far as Nigerian laws are concerned, no committee can confirm anyone,” he said.
Ambassadorial screening: No committee has finality to confirm anyone – Okereke
