Buhari Seeks Senate Confirmation of CCB Members

Senate reconsiders Zamfara INEC REC nominee

Damilola Oyedele

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a request to the Senate seeking the confirmation of 10 nominees as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The president’s letter was read at plenary yesterday by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

In the letter which the president said is in compliance with Section 541 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Act Law of Federation of Nigeria 2004, Buhari sought urgent confirmation of the nominees.

“The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith. It is my hope that this Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will in their usual expeditious manner consider and confirm the nominees. Please accept Mr. Senate President, my assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter read.

The nominees are: Muhammed Isa – Chairman (Jigawa, North West), Murtala Kankia – member, (Katsina North West), Emmanuel Attah – member, (Cross River, South-south), Danjuma Sado, member, (Edo South--south), Obolo Opanachi, member, (Kogi North-central), Ken Madaki Alkali, member (Nasarawa, North-central), S.F. Ogundare, member, (Oyo, South-west), Ganiyu Hamzat, member, (Ogun South-west), Sahad Abubakar, member, (Gombe North-east) and Vincent Nwanne, member, (Ebonyi South-east).

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday also directed its Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the nomination of Mr. Ahmad Bello Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) representing Zamfara State.

Mahmud’s nomination was rejected by the Senate last week, following claims that he is from Kebbi State, and not Zamfara State.

The Senate however agreed to reconsider the nomination after a submission by Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara APC) who noted that the nominee has held several appointive positions in the state, and is from the state.

Marafa added that the screening committee’s report has confirmed that the nominee was born in Gusau, the state capital.

The nominee had his primary and secondary education in the state, and was one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zamfara, and Chairman, Zamfara State Anti-Corruption Commission, Marafa added.

“Further aware that the assertion by the senator representing Zamfara North senatorial district (Senator Tijjani Kaura) that the nominee is from Kebbi State and not from Zamfara is therefore false,” he said.

Marafa urged the Senate to rescind its earlier decision and approve the nomination.

Presiding, Saraki, said to rescind the rejection at plenary would be an indictment of the committee on INEC.

He therefore referred the matter back to the committee and directed the Chairman, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, to report back in one week.