ABUJA – The fresh standoff between Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and the Senate will soon be resolved, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has assured.
But, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, felt the standoff was not an issue for the Federal Executive Council.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by Mr. Osinbajo on Wednesday, Mr Mohammed said there is a mechanism in place to resolve such conflict.
The Senate at plenary on Tuesday had reacted angrily to the letter forwarded to it by the Acting President to confirm the nomination of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, as the National Lottery Commission Boss.
The Senators wondered why Mr. Osinbajo forwarded the nominee to them for confirmation when he had said earlier that Mr Ibrahim Magu could continue to preside over affairs at the EFCC with or without approval of the Senate.
Consequently, the lawmakers asked Mr. Osinbajo to apologize or risk non confirmation of all his nominees.
But reacting at post-Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information & Culture had this to say:
“Clearly it came up. The fact of the matter is that we have a very excellent mechanism for resolving whatever issues is between us and the National Assembly. That is being addressed.
“Whatever may be the problem between the executive and the national assembly we have an excellent mechanism for resolving it.
” I don’t think we need to go to specific statements as to what was said by A or B.
“We believe that government is not one arm, but both the legislative, executive and judiciary arms, whatever might be the problem we are resolving it and we are addressing it.”
Speaking earlier, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the issue of nomination was never discussed at the Federal Executive Council.
According to him, “The fundamental consideration about the alleged statement is the fact that at no point ever did the Federal Executive Council sit down to arrive at the decision in one way or the other as far as the issue of nomination or otherwise is concerned.
“So, I do not think it constitutes an issue for the Federal Executive Council to make any clarification about because it has never been considered by the FEC.”
