Confusion as Senate suspends confirmation of nominees, threatens showdown with presidency

There was confusion at senate on Tuesday when the upper legislative chamber resolved to suspend the consideration of all the nominees which the executive sends to it for confirmation.

The  decision was taken after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo sent a letter to the senate, asking it to confirm Lanre Gbajabiamila as the director-general of Nigeria Lottery Commission.

The senator representing Zamfara west, Ahmed Yerima had moved a motion to stop the confirmation.

He wondered why Osinbajo would send a nominee to the senate after he reportedly said the upper legislative chamber did not have the power of confirmation.

It was reported that during an interactive session with journalists in April, Osinbajo had expressed support for the view of Femi Falana, a lawyer, who said President Muhammadu Buhari does not need the confirmation of the senate to retain Ibrahim Magu as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The senate advised the executive to respect its decision on rejected nominees.

The upper legislative chamber had rejected Magu on two different occasions but the presidency refused to replace the anti-graft Chief.