Senate urges committee to consider all petitions against ministerial nominees before Tuesday

The Senate on Thursday urged the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to consider all petitions against ministerial nominees before the commencement of screening on Tuesday.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, made the call in Abuja following a petition against the nominee from Kaduna State.

The petition was presented by Senator Danjuma Lar (APC-Kaduna South).

Lar said it was still unclear which state Amina Mohammed represented as she is from Gombe State by birth and married to husband from Kaduna State.

He said the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari nominating the ministers did not specify the states of origin of all the nominees.

So far, the Senate had received petitions against two ministerial nominees: former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Senate commenced Thursday’s plenary with over two hours long executive session.

The meeting on Thursday morning followed Wednesday’s meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

However, the President of the Senate at the end of the executive session, said the deliberations bordered on how to advance legislation in the 8th Senate.

Meanwhile, 12 bills passed first reading at the upper legislative house.

The bills included National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Bill by Senator Andy Uba; and Presidential Transition Bill 2015 (SB 19), sponsored by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia North).

Others are Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (etc.) Bill 2015, by Senator Ohuabunwa; Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2015, by Senator Francis Alimikhena; and Small Claims Court Bill 2015, by Senator Joshua Lidani.

The National Poverty Eradication Commission (etc) Bill 2015, by Senator Ibrahim Gobir; North East Development Commission (etc) Bill 2015, by Senator Kabiru Gaya; and Mental Health Bill 2015, by Senator Kashamu Buruji all passed first reading.

Other bills were Punishment for Undemocratic Act and Conduct Bill 2015 by Senator Ibn Na’Allah; the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill 2015, by Senator Rose Okoji.

Food Security Bill 2015, by Senator Theodore Orji; and National Endowment for Arts and Literature 2015, by Senator Shehu Sani were also read for the first time.

NAN.