Senate President Bukola Saraki has defied the directive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to announce Senator Ali Ndume and Bala Ibn Na’Allah as Senate leader and deputy respectively.
APC national leadership had written a letter to Saraki nominating Sen. Ahmad Lawan and George Akume for the two positions.
However, at the commencement of plenary on Thursday, Saraki announced that he has received communication from both North East and North West caucuses nominating Ndume and Na’Allah to occupy the two positions.
Immediately after the announcements, Ndume and Na’Allah took the seats reserved for the leader and deputy.
Saraki also announced that the South West Senate caucus has nominated Senator Francis from Osun State as Deputy Chief Whip. Francis also took his seat immediately.
However, Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara) stood up after the announcements to oppose the nominations.
He challenged Saraki that since their rules provide in Order 28 that it is the party with majority that will nominate the persons to occupy those positions, the Senate president did not have powers to recognize any nomination by a caucus.
But Sen Danjuma Goje came under the same point of order, arguing that nomination from caucuses has been the practice since 1999.
Saraki, while ruling on the matter, said the issue was already discussed and dealt with on Wednesday, and subsequently ruled Marafa out of order.
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