Senate Committees: Saraki is right – Marafa

 

Nov 6, 2015

Members of the aggrieved pro-Lawan Unity Forum have lauded Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s decision to nominate various Committee Chairmen and Deputies, with 41 Chair positions going to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and 24 to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Unity Forum frontman Ahmed Lawan will chair the Committee on Defence, while George Akume, his lieutenant, will head the Committee on Army.

Spokesperson of the Forum, Kabiru Marafa who spoke in a brief interview stated that the forum is yet to take a full stand on the Committees but expressed optimism that Saraki had done the right thing.

“For us to do the right things, we must follow our standing order and the constitution of the country. This is what we have been canvassing for. It is the Rules that will ensure harmony and peace.”

Nevertheless he emphasized the consequence of using the Senate Standing Order and the Nigerian Constitution in the proceedings of the Senate to ensure that the right thing is done.

“If due process is followed and the Senate Rules are adhered to in the constitution of the committees, there won’t be any problem.

“It was announced when I was not on the floor. I just heard it from friends. We are going to look at it and analyze it. But I think he has done right, if he has done it right there will be no cause for alarm.”

Marafa also did his best to convince those who would listen that he does not find particular Committees to be more relevant than others.

“I don’t consider any Committee juicy all our Committees are important,” he said.

Marafa, since the inauguration of the 8thSenate’s leadership against the expectations of the Unity Forum has remained controversial, insisting the Senate Standing Order 2015 as amended was forged.

He said as much in an interview with Post Nigeria stating that various clauses were inserted without the consent of the Senators of the 7th Assembly to invite confusion in the 8th Senate and sabotage the efforts of the lawmakers.

One of the many forged areas of the 2015 senate orders according to Marafa also includes the clause referring to the appointment of committee Chairs and Members;

“The appointment of Senators as Chairmen and Members of Committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Six Geo-political zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of Senators from a few Geo-political zones.”

The Zamfara Central Senator will chair the Committee on National Identity and National Population, while Abu Ibrahim is in charge of Police Affairs, Oluremi Tinubu, Women Affairs and Barnabas Gemade Housing.

Post Nigeria earlier reported how based on Marafa’s allegations, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi of Kaduna North had petitioned the leadership of the 7th Senate over forgery. The matter is still before the Court of Law.

Hunkuyi was appointed the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs.

All 65 Committees in addition to the first 5 appointed earlier will anchor the activities of the 8th Senate when constituted.

Members of the aggrieved pro-Lawan Unity Forum have lauded Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s decision to nominate various Committee Chairmen and Deputies,

They have no alternative na!!!

Ok