President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged the Senate to screen and confirm 19 nominees for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate President Lawan read President Buhari’s letter of request, dated, July 25, 2022, at plenary.
The President said his request was in accordance with the Provisions of Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He explained that five of the nominated RECs are for renewal of appointments, while the other 14 are fresh engagements.
The nominees for confirmation include: Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa – Renewal); Obo O. Effanga (Cross River – Renewal); Alhaji
Umar Ibrahim (Taraba – Renewal); Dr. Agboke Mutiu Olaleke (Ogun – Renewal); and Prof. Samuel E. Egwu (Kogi – Renewal).
Others are: Onyeka Pauline Ugochi (Imo); Prof. Muhammad Lawal Bashir (Sokoto); Prof. Ayobami Salami (Oyo); Ambassador Zango Abdussamadu Abdu (Katsina); Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Ebonyi); and Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo (Benue).
Also to be confirmed are: Yomere Gabriel Oritsemlebi (Delta); Prof. Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim (Kaduna); Dr. Nura Ali (Kano); Agu Sylvia Uchenna (Enugu); Ahmed Yushau Garki (FCT); Hudu Yunusa (Bauchi); Prof. Uzochukwu Ikemefuna Chijioke (Anambra); and Mohammed B. Nura (Yobe).
President Buhari also urged the Senate to confirm Justice Olukayode Ariwoola for appointment as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Lawan read the President’s letter of request on resumption of plenary.
The President’s letter, dated July 25, 2022, reads: “Pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
Justice Ariwoola is currently the Acting CJN.
He took over the position on acting capacity on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad on health grounds.
Also yesterday, President Buhari nominated four non-executive directors on the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for reappointment.
The names of the President’s nominees were contained in a letter, dated July 21, 2022, and read at plenary by Lawan.
The President explained that the request to confirm the nominees was made in accordance with Section 10(3)(a) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007.
The nominees for confirmation include: Prof. Mike Idiahi Obadan (Southsouth), Prof. Justitia Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (Southeast), Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North East), and Mr. Adeola Adetunji (Southwest).
Also, the Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Mohammed Bello for appointment as Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Bello’s confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs.
In his presentation, Committee Chairman Olubunmi Adetunmbi said: “From the available documents and the presentation made to the committee, the nominee satisfies the requirement for appointment as the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”