ABUJA – Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday, announced reshufflement of Committee chairmanships and their deputies, to placate restive members of Unity Forum Senators who were defeated in the election of Principal Officers.
Sen. Kabir Marafa, spokesperson of the Unity Forum has been moved from National Identity Card to chair Petrleum Downstream, while Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi who is currently spear heading forgery case against Saraki has been elevated to succeed Marafa (ld Card).
Also, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has been appointed Senate Committee chairman on Environment, while Sen. Binta Garba Masi now moves from Tertiary Education to Women Affairs.
Other changes are: Sen James Manager from Power to Solid Minerals; Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe from Information and National Orientation to Power; and Sen. Adokwe Suleiman to chair Information and National Orientation.
Sen. Baba Kaka Garbai – Rules and Business; Tijai Kaura – Federal Character; Sen. Joshua Dariye from Solid Minerals to Public Procurement; and Sen. Barau Jubril from vice-chair Petroleum (Down Stream) to Tertiary Institutions.
Moreso, Sen. Hope Uzodinma is to swap with Sen. Adamu Aliero from Aviation to Custom; while Senators Ahmed Ogembe, Ovie Omo Agege and Philip Aduda have been appointed vice chairmen of Marine Transport, Land Transport and Downstream Petroleum respectively.
However, a new Committee, namely, Legislative Copliance, has been created for Sen. Babajide Omoworare, who untill has chaired. Business and Rules Committee of the Senate.
Sen. Omoworare had dinstinguished himself as supporter of the on-going forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu, in his public declaration that the Attorney-General of the Federation was in order charging the principal officers.
In an intetface between the AGF and the Senate Committee on Judiciary, the senator had distanced himself from the rest of his colleagues on the powers of the AGF.
The reshufflement we gathered was a condition given Sen. Saraki for withdrawing the court case against him.
Meanwhile the Senate of the Federal Republic has proceeded on vacation, to resume its Second Session on September 13, 2016.
