Senate Confirms Ministerial Nominees, INEC Chairman & Commissioners
The plenary session of the Senate on Thursday October 29, 2015 witnessed the much awaited confirmation of the remaining 18 Ministerial Nominees screened by the chamber two weeks ago. Similarly, the hallowed chamber has also screened and confirmed the appointments of the Chairman and five Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent by President Muhammadu Buhari in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The Ministerial Nominees were confirmed following the approval of their screening by distinguished Senators. In fact, 17 of them were confirmed without any opposition except the Rivers State Nominee, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whose confirmation was opposed by Senators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In view of the hard stance of the opposition, the Senate therefore considered the report of Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee on the petition against Rt. Hon. Amaechi. The recommendations of the report presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu was adopted by the chamber in spite of the stiff opposition of the PDP Senators.
Accordingly, the Senate Majority Leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume moved for the confirmation of the nominee and was seconded by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Sen. Babajide Omoworare.
Consequently, the PDP Senators staged a walk out of the chamber while the Senate President, Bukola Saraki puts the confirmation question on voice vote and it was overwhelmingly approved by the APC Senators, thus confirming the nomination of Rt. Hon. Amaechi for appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The 18 Ministerial Nominees confirmed include:
1) Barr. Adebayo Shittu
2) Hon. Khadija Abba Ibrahim
3) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
4) Cladius Omoleye Daramola
5) Baba Shehuri Mustapha
6) Ocholi Enojo James
7) Prof. Adewole Isaac Folorunso
8) Hon. Bawa Bwari
9) Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama
10) Zainab S. Ahmed
11) Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali
12) Pastor Usani Usani Uguru
13) Mr. Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah
14) Prof. Anwuka Anthony Gozie
15) Mohammed Musa Bello
16) Adamu Adamu
17) Aisha Abubakar
18) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Also, the Senate has screened and confirmed the nomination of the Chairman and five Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Nominees confirmed include:
1)Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-Chairman
2) Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo-Commissioner
3) Dr. Anthonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine - Commissioner
4) Hajiya Amina Zakari-Commissioner
5) Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky - Commissioner
6) Mr. Soyebi Adedeji Solomon - Commissioner