Showdown: 4 things the Senate requires of Acting President Osinbajo

By Aunde Emmanuel (eaundeblog)

In an earlier report, it was noted that the threat to impeach Acting President Yemi Osinbajo if he fails to remove Ibrahim Magu, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has pitched the Senate against some Nigerians. Following that incident, the Senate tried and failed to make Bukola Saraki the acting president in place of Osinbajo while the president is still away. But, what does the Senate want from Osinbajo, and what is the real bone of contention? The Nigerian Senate posted some requirements via its official Twitter handle. Below are some of them:

This is the full list of what they want:

1. The Senate should suspend all issues relating to the confirmation of nominees from the executive on issue of confirmation as contained in constitution until the laws of the federation is adhered to. 2. Acting President must respect the constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly as relating to the confirmation of nominees. 3. The Acting President should respect the rejection of nominees by the Senate. 4. Senator Marafa Kabir added that the Acting President must withdraw his statement saying the Senate doesn't have the power to confirm nominees.

What do Nigerians think of this? Below are some comments from social media on the Senate's demands:

Meanwhile, the point of order raised, that the Senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was raised by the senator representing Abia South, Eyinanya Abaribe.

He raised a motion that the country had no president or acting president at the moment, adding that, President Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo were neither in the country, as at the time.