By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Senate yesterday disregarded the opposition by three Osun senators and confirmed Abduljelili Adesiyan, as a minister, alongside other ten candidates who were nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan for screening by the Senate.
Also, the screening and confirmation of one of the nominees, Hadjia Jamilla Salik (Kano), was deferred as she failed to show up during the screening, though it is being speculated that her nomination has been withdrawn by the President.
The nominees who were confirmed yesterday are; ex-national Security Adviser, General Aliu Mohammed Gusau (Zamfara State), Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Hon. Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan (Osun), Ambassador Aminu Wali (Kano) and Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom).
Others are, Laurencia Labaran Mallam (Kaduna), Dr. Tamuno W. Danagogo (Rivers), Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Mr. Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto).
The three senators from Osun state who rejected the nomination of Abduljelili Adesiyan were Olusola Adeyeye, Babajide Omowulare and, Mudashiru Usein, as they claimed that the nomination, if confirmed, would not serve the interest of the country and President Jonathan.
However, while rejecting the nominee, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC Osun), said it was the first time senators from Osun are opposing a ministerial nominee from the state, adding that the last five presidential nominations from the area were endorsed by the three senators.
“Three of us have not endorsed the nomination of Mr President. This opposition is not being brought frivolously. Not on ground of partisanship. We do not believe that the President would be best served by the appointment of Mr Adesiyan. Bola Ige did not kill himself”, he said.
Meanwhile, as he was still explaining the reasons why the three senators are blocking the nominations, the Senate President, David Mark, interrupted him, saying “we must put all this things behind us. This house is not a law court; we all heard the voice vote here. I don’t see where your privilege has been breached”.
He urged them to see themselves as servants and not masters, and to work towards realising the transformation agenda, adding that they should remember that they have been called to serve Nigeria at a very difficult time in Nigeria.
