The House of Representatives witnessed the official resignation of the Minister of Interior, Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo, and the Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read their resignation letters on Tuesday during the House session.
Both Mr. Olubunmi-Ojo and Mr. Sununu received appointments from President Bola Tinubu and were subsequently approved by the Senate in August. However, the House had been in recess since July.
Mr. Olubunmi-Ojo represented the Akoko North-east/Akoko North-west federal constituency of Ondo State, while Mr. Sununu served as the representative of the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski federal constituency of Kebbi State in the lower chamber.
According to Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, a member must vacate their seat in the House if appointed as a minister.
“(1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if -he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser,” the section stipulates.
Additionally, Salisu Majigiri (PDP, Katsina) was sworn in as a new member of the House during the resumption of plenary. Mr. Majigiri emerged victorious in the February 25 election for Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency of Katsina State, securing 27,387 votes and defeating his closest rival, Mansir Ali of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 20,596 votes. His candidacy had been contested by Nazifi Yusuf, but the Supreme Court affirmed Mr. Majigiri’s candidacy in April.
Peoplesmind
