V P: Jonathan Forwards Sambo’s Name To National Assembly

PHOTO: VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, KADUNA STATE GOVERNOR, ARCH. NAMADI SAMBO.

ABUJA, May 14, (THEWILL) - At last President Goodluck Jonathan has forwarded the name of Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State to the National Assembly for clearance as Vice President.

Jonathan in a letter dated 13^th May 2010 said the nomination was in line with the provision of section 146 of the Constitution which empowers the President to nominate a Vice President with the approval of the National Assembly whenever the office of the Vice President becomes vacant.

The President’s letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole reads; In compliance with section 146 sub section 3 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria I have the honour to nominate Alhaji Namadi Sambo 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."

Section 146 (3) reads 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 the 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 the Vice President became vacant after Jonathan took over as President last Thursday following the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Already the two chambers of the National Assembly have listed the matter for consideration on Tuesday.

Transmission of Sambo’s nomination to the National Assembly was said to have been delayed to enable the Presidency conclude consultation with the federal legislators who had earlier resolved that a member of the National Assembly be considered for the job.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives from the north had earlier in the week endorsed former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi for the job after the region resolved to yield the position to the North-West geo-political zone to compensate the area for the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.