Citing irregularities in Buhari's ambassadorial list, senate summons Onyeama, SGF

Citing irregularities in Buhari’s ambassadorial list, senate summons Onyeama, SGF

June 22

13:57 2016

Print This Article

The senate has summoned Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), and Geoffrey Onyeama, foreign affairs minister, over alleged irregularities in the ambassadorial list.

On June 9, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list of 47 ambassadorial nominees to the senate for confirmation.

But the list generated much controversy owing to alleged irregularities in the process of nominating the yet-to-be confirmed ambassadors.

Raising a point of order, Joshua Dariye, a senator from Plateau state, urged the senate to invite the SGF and the minister to explain the cause of the alleged irregularities in the list.

Senate President Bukola Saraki put‎ Dariye’s request to a voice vote after a brief debate, and members voted in favour of summoning the duo.

Afterwards, the upper legislative chamber directed its committee on foreign affairs to invite the SGF and the minister.

Speaking on the issue, Saraki said: “On career ambassadors we must ensure that the process is transparent.”

“It is important the senate committee invite the SGF and minister of foreign affairs to explain the processes the names came about.”

‎The federal government has filed charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery against Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, at an Abuja high court for allegedly forging the senate standing order, 2015.

The senate views the government’s action as an attempt to weaken the legislature.

TheCable