Presidency commends senators for professionalism in ministerial screening

Nigeria’s Presidency has applauded the maturity and professional conduct exhibited by the Senators in the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees, describing it as a “highly intellectual exercise” between members of the proposed Executive Council and the Legislature.


The Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang who gave the commendation, also said it is the constitutional rights of the lawmakers to choose how they handle any matter brought before them on the floor of the legislative chambers.
Senator Enang also urged Nigerians to always
support the President and appreciate the thorough job he did on the character and content of those Nigerians whom he nominated for the positions of ministers, in his bid to provide good governance that aligns with constitutional provisions.
“There are times that nominees move into the senate chamber and the whole public is carrying news that ooh, there would be fire and brimstone, and the person just goes in they ask him good intellectual questions and he responds to them intellectually, giving an intellectually rich content of his background, intellectually rich content of his appreciation of the knowledge of the nation’s economy, polity and security. 
And this is what had influenced the Senators’ decision in the 18 they had cleared, and I hope it’s going to guide their decision in the remaining number of nominees”    
Amaechi’s screening
Last week’s decision of the Senate to screen former Rivers State governor, and ministerial nominee Chibuike Amaechi, without considering the report on the alleged fraud case against him had been generating mixed reactions but the President’s aide believes the Senate acted strictly within the confines of its powers.
“The constitution authorises the senate, the House of Representatives, and any legislative House, to regulate its own proceedings including managing matters that are brought before it, therefore, what they did during Mr. Amaechi’s screening is domestic to the senate”.
Senator Enang who served as Chairman of the House of Representatives and Senate committees on rules and business respectively in the last 16 years, said it is the prerogative of the President to assign suitable portfolio to any of the ministers, as long as they have undergone screening by the Senate.