Nigeria Content Online

As the plenary
sessions of both chambers of the National Assembly begin today to
confirm the nomination of Namadi Sambo as the nation’s vice president,
there are indications that the Senate and House of Representatives may
use sharply different considerations to screen him.

Letters informing
both chambers of President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice of Mr. Sambo,
governor of Kaduna State, as the vice president, reached the leadership
of both chambers last weekend.

However, it is
still unclear if the legislators would have Mr. Sambo appear in person
to answer questions, or at least make an appearance before the
lawmakers.

Members of the
House of Representatives, who are performing their first such approval
function unlike the Senate which has confirmed ministers, are planning
to have a physical interaction with the vice presidential nominee
before approving his nomination by the president.

Approval procedure

The Senate, which
has always screened and confirmed executive functionary nominees, is
considering approving Mr. Sambo’s nomination based on his nomination
letter – without seeing him.

Ayogu Eze, the
Senate spokesman, said on Monday that, “In accordance with our rules,
the letter will be read as an official correspondence from Mr.
President in plenary on Tuesday (today). Thereafter, a time and date
will be set when the Senate shall approve the nomination, in accordance
with section 146 sub-sections 3 of the 1999 constitution.”

In a telephone
interview, Mr. Eze argued that Mr. Sambo may not need to appear before
the Senate, since it is not a confirmation screening as was applicable
to the recently appointed ministers.

However, Ita Enang,
the chairman, Business and Rules of the House of Representatives, said
the House has invited the nominee to its sitting.

According to him,
the House of Representatives will rather have the vice presidential
nominee appear before it since he is not known to all Nigerians.

Sources note that
the president’s choice of Mr. Sambo does not tally with the wishes of
the members who preferred one of their own. They have, however,
promised to give their assent to the president’s choice.

Mr. Sambo was
nominated by President Jonathan last week after a period of jockeying
and lobbying for the post by various interest groups.

Mr. Jonathan however chose a man who has been variously described as
a ‘dark horse’, because his name did not in any way feature among all
those bandied about by the different interest groups. His choice has
therefore, left many guessing, especially in view of next year’s
elections.