Victor Umeh, Senator representing Anambra Central at the
Senate has given reasons why the red chamber should not confirm nominees
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).Mr Umeh
who gave the reasons at the floor of the upper legislative chamber on
Tuesday said those nominated should not be confirmed because some
geo-political zones in the country were not represented at the
anti-graft commission.Chukwuka Utazi, chairman of the senate
committee on anti-corruption, had presented a report on the screening of
the some EFCC nominees by his committee.Ndasule Moses, Lawan
Mamman, Galadanci Najib and Adeleke Rafiu were the nominees recommended
for confirmation as members of the EFCC.Soon after the
presentation of the report, a rowdy session occurred at the chamber with
mostly southern lawmakers protesting against the recommendation.While
making his contribution, Umeh said there was not for other zones to be
represented at the EFCC since Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the
commission; and Olanipkekun Olukoyede, secretary of the commission, are
from the north-east and south-west respectively.“The south-south
and south-east are not accommodated in the commission. On the issue of
the fight against corruption – it involves all parts of Nigeria,” Umeh
said.“If you look at the composition, Mr President some people
will think that the fight against corruption is instituted against them.
There is need to take people from other geo-political zones,” he said.Also,
Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, said the
consideration of the nominees should be stepped down until it is
amended.Responding, Utazi said a committee set up to look at the
president’s alleged lopsided appointments had “gone underground and
refused to present a report”.Ali Ndume, senator representing
Borno south, said Utazi should have drawn the attention of the senate
leadership to the matter instead of bringing a report urging them to
confirm the nominees.At this point, both Utazi and Isah Misau, senator representing Bauchi central, interrupted Ndume.
“We must not divide Nigeria,” Misau said. While Utazi was heard saying: “I have the floor, go and sit down.”
“You have a rowdy floor,” another senator said.
The
disorderliness went on for about 10 minutes before and this prompted
the lawmakers to go into a closed-door session abruptly.When
they emerged from the closed-door session, Senate President Bukola
Saraki announced that it had been agreed that the confirmation of the
EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) nominees should be suspended for further legislative
input.
Source:- Politicstimesng
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