Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), on Friday said the Senate was at liberty to set criteria for the screening of ministerial nominees.
Enang stated this while interacting with newsmen in Abuja against the backdrop of conditions given on Thursday by the Senate to the nominees for their screening.
He said the parameters by which the screening of the nominees would be conducted were constitutionally exclusive preserve of the Senate.
He said: “The Senate is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it is free to set criteria for the screening of the nominees appearing before it.
“Our job will be to work with the respective senators and work with the respective nominees to make sure that the senators are satisfied so that they can agree with the nominations.
“We will not dispute with the Senate what they want because it absolutely lies in the heart and minds of the respective and distinguished senators to determine what to ask.
“You cannot limit the question that you can ask a nominee.
“The senators are free and the nominees will be free to answer the questions.
“So the senators are within their rights to request what they want.”
Enang could not say when the remaining names of ministerial nominees would be sent to the Senate, affirming that Tuesday’s screening would be for those whose names had been sent.
He said petitions against any nominee would be treated by the Senate, adding that it was the prerogative of the lawmakers to do so.
He said: “Nobody can say anything about it and I will not say anything against what the Senate has decided.
“It is not proper to go into a controversy with the senators and the Senate on any matter that lies within their constitutional powers.”
According to Enang, the Constitution and the Federal Character Act are clear on matters of state of origin, state of birth and indigeneship.
He explained that his job was to relate with the Senate on matters that proceeded from the President and the Executive, and to create a good working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.
NAN.