Lawmakers of the Nigerian National Assembly have suspended the planned recruitment of 774,000 Nigerians anchored by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity.
While announcing the suspension, the Senate Spokesperson, Dr. Ajibola Basiru and his colleague in the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, dared President Buhari to challenge the suspension in court.
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In a joint statement, both spokespersons said the lawmakers made the decision after the row with the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo (SAN) on Tuesday.
They also said the programme did not belong to the President exclusively saying the National Assembly also contributed to the development of the programme.
They alleged that the lawmakers were being kept in the dark about the details of the planned recruitment and therefore could not let it go ahead.
Responding in an interview with Punch however, Festus Keyamo said the programme cannot be suspended by the lawmakers because they have no power to direct the executive arm of Government.
Keyamo had engaged in a shouting match with lawmakers after he was asked to explain how members of a 20 man committee appointed to oversee the process were selected.
Rather than answer the question, the Minister claimed that members of the House were blackmailing him because they wanted slots in the recruitment.