Reps fault Jonathan on appointment of Special Advisers

…say it breached Section 151

By EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

ABUJA – THE House of Representatives, Thursday expressed dismay over the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to inform it of his request for the appointment of Special Advisers as required by Section 151 of the constitution.

Section 151 of the Constitution stipulates that: “The President may appoint any person as a Special Adviser to assist him in the performance of his functions. The number of such Advisers and their remuneration and allowances shall be as prescribed by law or by resolution of the National Assembly.”

The House instructed its Clerk, Mohammad Ataba Sani Omolori to draw the attention of the Presidency to the issue to ensure that the constitution was complied with on the matter immediately.

The matter was brought to the attention of the House by the immediate past Minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila ,ACN, Lagos State, who stated that by writing a letter to only the Senate for approval to appoint 20 Special Advisers, President Jonathan had acted in complete disregard of the Constitution.

When the House was about commencing the legislative business of the day, Gbajabiamila was heard shouting: “Point of Constitutional Order! Point of Constitutional Order!!” Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha who presided over the session quickly recognized him to state his case and he explained that: “I am drawing attention to the provisions of section 151 of the constitution.

This constitutional provision stated that the President should seek approval from the National Assembly to appoint Special Advisers. But I am not aware of any letter sent to this House in that regard. I have even heard that the Senate has approved that the President could appoint 20 advisers.”

“I do not want to believe that there is any intention to undermine the House of Representatives but I just want to ask that the House should ensure that the right thing is done”

Ihedioha was quick in upholding the point of order and also directed the clerk to get in touch with appropriate authorities on the matter to make sure that the constitutional provision was complied with.

“In upholding your point of order, I believe that it is more of an oversight than a deliberate attempt to undermine the House. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is therefore directed to get in touch and get the issue sorted out”