VP: Sambo’s Name Sent to N/Assembly

Written by This Day Saturday, 15 May 2010

After a two day wait, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded the name of Kaduna State governor Namadi Sambo to the National Assembly for consideration and confirmation as his vice president.

Sambo will upon his confirmation by the two chambers of the National Assembly, cease to be governor and will assume higher responsibilities as the number two citizen of Nigeria.

In his first official correspondence to the National Assembly since he was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jonathan expressed hope that his nomination of Sambo “will receive the usual expeditious consideration and approval” of the lawmakers.

A copy of the letter sent to the House of Representatives, dated May 13, 2010, entitled “Nomination of Vice President” and signed by Jonathan reads: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 146, Sub-section (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to nominate Alhaji Namadi Sambo for consideration as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the House of Representatives.

“While hoping that this exercise will receive the usual expeditious consideration and approval of the Honourable House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, please accept, Mr. Speaker, the assurances of my highest regards.”

The chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Honourable Ita Enang who confirmed the receipt of the letter disclosed that the House would consider the request by the president when it reconvenes for plenary on Tuesday, May 18.
According to Enang, the House will treat the matter with utmost speed as requested to ensure that the office of the vice presidency does not remain vacant one day longer than necessary.

A source in the office of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, confirmed yesterday that the letter conveying Sambo’s nomination had also been sent to the Senate.
Senate spokesperson, Senator Ayogu Eze, could not be reached yesterday for confirmation as his telephone numbers were switched off when he was repeatedly called.

Sources said the executive communication would be read on Tuesday by the Senate President, Senator David Mark, under announcement to set the stage for the process of approving the nomination of Sambo.
Jonathan picked Sambo after a series of horse-trading that saw various interest groups endorse their preferred candidates.
The Senate, for instance, had endorsed the candidature of former Kaduna State governor and serving Senator, Ahmed Makarfi.

Jonathan had, after weighing all options, settled for Sambo. His decision followed a meeting with the governors.
It was during the meeting that the president informed them that he was picking one of them for nomination to the National Assembly as vice president.

Section 146 of the constitution upon which Jonathan acted states that: “Where the office of Vice President becomes vacant: (a) by reason of death or resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with Section 143 or 144 of this constitution; (b) by his assumption of office of President in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; or (c) for any other reason, the President shall nominate  and, with the approval of each House of the National Assembly, appoint a new Vice President.”
The position of vice president became vacant following the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua last week. Jonathan was subsequently sworn in as president.