That Saraki’s trial won’t affect ministerial screening
The upper chamber of the National Assembly cleared the air yesterday on the screening of ministerial nominees, saying the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki won’t affect the exercise.
Saraki is facing a 13-count criminal charge bordering on false declaration of assets and operation of a foreign account while he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.
Since the start of the trial, there have been fears that the lawmakers may pounce on the ministerial nominees whose screening is expected to commence soon.
But speaking exclusively to Daily Trust, deputy Senate leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah said there will not be any problem with the clearance of the ministerial nominees.
In a phone interview yesterday, he said 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 the legislature as cordial and mutual, said they would not allow the nation’s enemies to thwart the country 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.
