ABUJA – Fear of veritable spoiler spots which the People Democratic Party senators have proven to be in recent times at National Assembly might have moved the Presidency into kick-starting lobbying the umbrella boys to support the Buhari’s chosen few.
Confirmation of the ministerial nominees will run in the Senate of the Federal Republic from 13th to 15th of October, 2015.
In a joint press briefing yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, disclosed that he had initiated contact with PDP Senators as part of his duty to reach out to all sections in the National Assembly.
Speaking in the company of Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the SSA explained that they both had both decided to brief journalists for “the sake and interest of Nigeria.”
According to him, “part of our job is to reach out to all the sections; and the past is gone, this is a new beginning.”
Also speaking, Sen. Akpabio noted that he was impressed by the ministerial nominees the President sent to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation as ministers.
He said there was no doubt that the President was able to assemble men and women of integrity to assist him in salvaging the country.
He, however, noted that what was left, was for the Senate to do its work and hoped that more than 70 per cent or 80 per cent of the nominees would scale through the Senate hurdle.
“We will do our best to ensure robust debate, fine tune the policies of the APC administration to better the lots of Nigerians and to ensure that Nigeria gets out of the current economic doldrums.
So far, on a personal note, I am impressed with the list that was sent by the President; I believe that he has kept to his word by ensuring that we sort out a lot of people of integrity that can salvage the country.
But of course, the Senate will still do its work of screening and re-screening and I pray that more than 70 or 80 percent of the list should pass through”, he added.
In what looks like a ready opposition, the PDP has enjoyed smooth ride in the two chambers of the NASS, the Senate and the House of Representatives, shooting down what they see as on-toward moves or motions.
At the formal presentation of the initial 21-nominee list yesterday, the Minority Leader, Sen. Akpabio under Constitutional-Point-of-Order, insisted that the list be not accepted by the Senate as it was short of 15 states, but was tactically avoided by presiding Senate President Bukola Saraki.
