The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of eight out of the 12 remaining Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission submitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Those confirmed by the Senate were Asmau Maikudi, Katsina, new appointment; Sam Olumekun, Ondo, reappointment; Riskuwa Shehu, Sokoto, new appointment; Kasim Geidam, Yobe, reappointment; Jibrin Zarewa, Kano, reappointment; Abdulganiyu Raji, Oyo, new appointment; Samuel Egwu, Kogi, new appointment; Mike Igini, Delta, reappointment.
The panel also suspended the confirmation of two other nominees, Mahmuda Isah (Kebbi) and Ahmad Bello Mahmud (Zamfara), for “further legislative considerations”.
It rejected the nomination of Prof. Mustapha Zubairu (Niger) as the nominee comes from the same local government area with the Federal Commissioner of INEC for the North Central.
However, the confirmation of nominee from Lagos, Rufus Akeju, for reappointment as a Resident Electoral Commissioner was suspended by Senate owing to a pending legal issue.
Senator Abiodun Olujimi argued that there is a court ruling against the reappointment of Akeju
Olujimi said: “Mr. President, I have a court ruling against him, saying he cannot be confirmed as Resident Electoral Commissioner.
“He went to appeal but his appeal was struck out.
“He appealed but lost it.
“The document is here with me.”
Spirited efforts by Senator Solomon Olamilekan to ensure that the nomination of Akeju sailed through was opposed by Peter Nwaoboshi, who said the Senate should not disregard the pronouncement of a court.
However, the Senate unanimously agreed that Olujimi should furnish the INEC committee with the document she has so that the committee would report back to the Senate later on the issue of the Lagos State nominee.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
