Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku is walking on thin ice as far as his job is concerned following his statement that resolutions by the National Assembly is not binding on the executive.
During a media briefing last week Maku while answering a question on the resolution of the National Assembly which asked president Jonathan to halt the N5000 note, said the resolutions of the National Assembly are not binding, thereby slighting the National Assembly which has been fuming over disregard of their resolutions by the executive.
Sources told pointblanknews that the Senators were very angry with the minister who some have described as talking too much with an unhealthy air of arrogance.
The National Assembly source noted that the Senate in particular decided to take up the case as a way of cutting to size the flagrant disregard for their resolution even though an attempt in the 6th Senate to make a law that makes their resolutions binding could not sail through.
The National Assembly and the executive have been locked in a tussle over the compliance by the executive with their resolutions
Last week the Senate fumed over the disregard of their resolution by the Executive just as senator Uche Chukwumerije said impeachment might become inevitable if the President Goodluck Jonathan continues to disregard their resolutions.
However, the Senate last week summoned the Maku to explain what he said.
“Careless Talker”
But at plenary on Tuesday, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, described Maku, as “careless talker” over the statement, and warned that a resolution will be made to sack any minister that makes careless statements.
“I think the information the minister is a careless talker. He talks very carelessly. He did not think properly He is not an educator and we need to educate him. I hope that the president cautions him and calls him to order. And I think that next time he does that we will take a resolution here that any minister who talks carelessly be removed because there was really no need for that absolutely.
“For those who usually tell the minister to take a bow and go because they are very good men, I hope you are learning hard lesson by the way they.”
I am Sorry – Maku.
Barely hours after the outburst of Mark, Maku at while appearing before the senate committee on information, apologized to the National Assembly over his comments hinting that he cracked under pressure.
He did admit making the statement when according to him he was “pressed by the press” to speak on the National Assembly resolution and the N5000 note, but added that it was never intended to disparage the National Assembly.
“I have no reason to denigrate the authority of the highest legislative body. The Senate being the highest legislative body has played a very constructive role in stabilization of nigeria democracy.
“I have no reason personally or individually to disparage the Senate. If that comment has been misinterpreted to mean that the Federal Government does not respect resolution of Senate, I tender my apology.
“I know that there are circumstances where the resolutions of the National Assembly carry the force of law.” He said
Maku admitted that resolutions from the National Assembly are not mere advisory and that they carry the force of law.
But the senators, most of whom were former media practitioners, took turns to give him tutorials, stressing that he should have kept mum on the question.
Despite their insistence that he should repeatedly apologize over the statement they wondered why he decided to make that statement hours before the president succumbed to the agitations against the move.
The senators reminded him that before he becomes a minister he must first be confirmed via a resolution by the Senate.
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said “Senate wants to work in harmonious relationship with the executive. At this moment in time in Nigeria when we are besieged with all manners of problems either it is insecurity or flooding, the very serious challenges that we face collectively as a nation we don’t think that there is enough time to solve the problems and the bickering between the arms of government. So we wish to advise that members of the executive should show more tact when making public statements.”