Reps urge acting President to swear in 2 cleared ministerial nominees

House of Representatives

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to swear in and allocate portfolio and official duties to the minister designates from Kogi and Gombe State within one week.

The Senate had on May 3rd confirmed the appointment of Prof Stephen Ocheni from Kogi State and Suleiman Hassan from Gombe State.

The House resolution followed a motion on urgent need for the acting President to swear in and apportion office to minister designate from Kogi and Gombe States.

The motion was sponsored by Honourable Karimi Sunday who said that, Kogi State and Gombe State are not represented in the Federal Executive Council, saying that, the Federal Executive Council as currently constituted was in flagrant breach of Section 14 (2) and 147 (3) constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

Buttressing his point, he said that, the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vest the executive powers of the federation in the President and such power may be exercised directedly through the Vice President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the Public Service of the Federation.

Speaking further, he said that, Section 145 (1) of the constitution, provides that whenever the President of the Federation is unable to discharge the functions of his office for whatsoever reason, the President shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect, and until he transmit to them a declaration to the contrary, the Vice President shall perform the functions of the President as Acting President.

He also said that, Section 147 provides that there shall be such offices of Ministers of the Federation as may be established by President. Such Ministers shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

According to him, Section 143 (3) and 14(3) shall comply with the principles of Federal character accordingly, each state shall have at least one minister.

The motion scaled through when it was put to voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Lasun Yusuf who presided over the session.

S-Davies Wande