The Senate yesterday cleared the air on the screening of ministerial nominees, saying the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki won’t affect the exercise.
The red chamber was reacting to speculation in some quarters that pro-Saraki senators might frustrate screening of the ministerial nominees once the Senate receives the list from the Executive as a way of taking their pound for the alleged humiliation of Saraki.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to send the ministerial list to the Senate for screening on or before September 30, the deadline he set to unveil his cabinet.
Deputy Senate leader, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who denied any plot to pounce on the ministerial list, assured that there will not be any problem as senators were solidly alive to their constitutional responsibilities.
“We senators are perfectly aware of our obligations and oath of office not to allow our personal interest to affect our official conducts. We assure Nigerians that there is no problem whatsoever”, he said.
“We also assure Nigerians that there is no problem between the president and the Senate. It is only mischief makers that are trying to create the impression that all is not well,” Na’Allah noted.
“We are solidly behind (President Muhammadu) Buhari in all his programmes and policies. We assure Nigerians that they will not hear any friction between us and Mr. President”, the deputy Senate leader said.
Na’Allah, who described the relationship between the Executive and Legislature as cordial and mutual, said they would not allow the nation’s enemies to ruin the cordial relationship.
“The Senate president is fully aware that President Buhari has no hand in his trials and we the leaders of the Senate know too”, he added.
