The Nigerian Senate recently
resumed from a 3-week break. Upon resumption, they received a
communication from Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the acting president, seeking the
confirmation of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, as the director general of National
Lottery Regulatory Commission.
However, because the acting
president had earlier reportedly said the Senate had no power to confirm
nominees, the lawmakers, however, subjected the letter to deliberations.
Also a point of order was
raised, that the Senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was the Acting
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The senator representing Abia
South, Eyinanya Abaribe, had raised a motion that the country had no president
or acting president at the moment, adding that, President Muhammadu Buhari and
Professor Yemi Osinbajo were neither in the country, as at the time.
This was however countered
through order 53 rule 4 of the Senate standing rules, by Senator Kabiru Marafa
representing Zamfara Central.
Marafa said: “If the
President is not around, the Vice President should act, and if the Vice
President is not around, the Senate President, who is the number 3 citizen
should become acting President.”
The Senate President, however,
quickly ruled Senator Marafa “out of order.”
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