Saraki reshuffles Senate committees’ chairmen

Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday announced a reshuffling of the chairmanship of Senate committees, Owojela’s Blog has learnt.

The Senate Committee on Trade and Investments now has Senator Sabo Mohammed as the Chairman, while Senator Andy Uba (Anambra-South), who was Chairman of Committee on Public Accounts, was redeployed to Committee on Interior.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo-South) was moved from Committee on Culture and Tourism to Committee on Public Accounts, while Senator Fatimah Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti-Central), who was Chairman of Committee on Trade and Investments, is now Chairman of Culture and Tourism.

Committee on Local Content now has Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos-West) as Chairman, while Senator Stella Oduah is now Chairman of Committee Cooperation and Integration.

Senator Mustapha Bukar was appointed Chairman of Committee on Capital Market.

Also, vice chairmen of committees were also affected in the reshuffle. Committee on Trade and Investments now has Senator Mohammed Sani Mustapha as Vice Chiarman, while Senator Ademola Adeleke succeeded Adeola as Vice Chairman of Committee on Communications.

The Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was named Vice Chairman of Committee on Local Content.

Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters now has Senator Babajide Omoworare as Vice Chairman.

It was reported in May 2017 that the Peoples Democratic Party caucus was aggrieved with the retention of Uba in the Committee on Public Accounts since his defection from the opposition PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress on February 21, 2017.

The committee, which exists in the Senate and House of Representatives, is the only committee in the National Assembly recognised by the Constitution and is traditionally headed by a member of the opposition.

The duties of the committee include monitoring transparency and accountability in the management and expenditure of public funds by ministries, department and agencies.