The House of Representatives on Thursday faulted
the appointment of 20 special advisers by President Goodluck Jonathan,
alleging a breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Senate had reportedly approved the appointment of the SAs following a request Jonathan sent to them.
But, on Thursday, the House said in compliance with Section 151 of the constitution, the President was required to inform the House of his decision to appoint the SAs.
The section states, “The President may appoint any person as a Special Adviser to assist him in the performance of his functions.
“The number of such advisers and their remuneration and allowances shall be as prescribed by law or by resolution of the National Assembly.”
The immediate Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, had raised the alleged constitutional breach in a point of order.
Gbajabiamila, a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria from Lagos State, told the House that Jonathan wrote a letter to the Senate on the subject but ignored the House.
According to him, by appointing the SAs based on the approval of the Senate alone, the President has breached the constitution.
He said, “I am drawing attention to the provision of section 151 of the constitution.
“This constitutional provision stated that the President should seek approval from the National Assembly to appoint Special Advisers.
“But, I am not aware of any letter sent to this House in that regard.
“I have even heard that the Senate has approved that the President could appoint 20 advisers.
“I do not want to believe that there is any intention to undermine the House of Representatives, but I just want to ask that the House should ensure that the right thing is done.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, in a bid to douse tension, ruled to uphold the point of order raised by the ACN member.
“In upholding your point of order, I believe that it is more of an oversight than a deliberate attempt to undermine the House,” Ihedioha said.
By John Ameh, Abuja Courtesy Of: Punch
The Senate had reportedly approved the appointment of the SAs following a request Jonathan sent to them.
But, on Thursday, the House said in compliance with Section 151 of the constitution, the President was required to inform the House of his decision to appoint the SAs.
The section states, “The President may appoint any person as a Special Adviser to assist him in the performance of his functions.
“The number of such advisers and their remuneration and allowances shall be as prescribed by law or by resolution of the National Assembly.”
The immediate Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, had raised the alleged constitutional breach in a point of order.
Gbajabiamila, a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria from Lagos State, told the House that Jonathan wrote a letter to the Senate on the subject but ignored the House.
According to him, by appointing the SAs based on the approval of the Senate alone, the President has breached the constitution.
He said, “I am drawing attention to the provision of section 151 of the constitution.
“This constitutional provision stated that the President should seek approval from the National Assembly to appoint Special Advisers.
“But, I am not aware of any letter sent to this House in that regard.
“I have even heard that the Senate has approved that the President could appoint 20 advisers.
“I do not want to believe that there is any intention to undermine the House of Representatives, but I just want to ask that the House should ensure that the right thing is done.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, in a bid to douse tension, ruled to uphold the point of order raised by the ACN member.
“In upholding your point of order, I believe that it is more of an oversight than a deliberate attempt to undermine the House,” Ihedioha said.
By John Ameh, Abuja Courtesy Of: Punch
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