We are waiting on Buhari for ministers’ list - Senate

As the Senate resumes today from its six-week break, it said yesterday that it was yet to get the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari.

This came as security operatives at the National Assembly were yesterday put on red alert, ahead of the resumption of sessions in both legislative chambers of the parliament.

The Senate, in a statement issued by Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Melaye, said senators were waiting for the President to forward to them the list of ministerial nominees.

Melaye (APC, Kogi West) said they were fully prepared to settle down for legislative activities, including receiving, screening and clearing the nominees or disqualifying, if the need arose.

Melaye dispelled speculations of a likely postponement of resumption, adding that the Senate would commence legislative activities and welcome communication from President Buhari.

According to him, the Senate was committed to always do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and well being of Nigerians.

He also stated that there will be no “stormy session” in the Senate on resumption, as being peddled by a section of the media, since both the leadership of the upper chamber and all senators were at peace among themselves and were focused on working for the betterment of the country at all times.

Melaye said: “I want to confirm that the Senate will resume tomorrow (today) and that we are set to carry out all our legislative responsibilities.

“I also want to use this opportunity to announce the resolve of the Senate to do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and well-being of the Nigerian people.”

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is expected to constitute leadership of standing committees of the House after resumption.

The non-composition of the committees had unsettled most members of the House, who are very apprehensive.

A few members spoken to, however, declined to comment on the development, perhaps for fear of making statements that may offend the leadership.

Expectations are high that the Speaker will be fair in the sharing of the 90 substantive committees.