Reps urge acting President to swear in 2 cleared ministerial nominees

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.

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.