The senate yesterday confirmed six nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari as national commissioners and one resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Those whose nominations were confirmed are Prof. Rhoda Gumus, national commissioner, (Bayelsa – south-south); Mr. Mohammed Haruna, (Niger – north central); Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta – south-south); Mr. Ukeagu Kenneth Nnamdi (Abia – southeast), Maj.-Gen. A. B. Alkali (retd.) – (Adamawa – northeast) and Mr. Sam Olumekun (Ondo – southwest).
Also confirmed was one REC, Mr. Olaniyi Ijalaye (Ondo – southwest).
The confirmation followed the consideration of a report submitted by the chairman, senate committee on INEC, Mr. Kabiru Gaya.
At yesterday’s plenary, Gaya asked the senate to consider the report of its committee on INEC on the confirmation of the appointees.
Giving his support to the report, the deputy senate president, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege said Agbamuche-Mbu did not disappoint the people of Delta.
“Mr. President, I stand here again this time with bigger pride to support this nomination.”
Similarly, his colleague from Delta, Mr. James Manager said: “I want to thank the President for nominating these people of integrity and capacity.
Mr. President (Buhari) has done well for the nominations of these prominent Nigerians.”
Mr. Gabriel Suswam also aligned himself with the position of his counterparts who spoke earlier and urged the senate to approve the committee’s report, saying there was no need for much argument.
Recall that President Buhari had, in a letter, dated December 10, 2021, requested the Senate to confirm the nominees pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Part (1) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Also yesterday, the president urged the Senate to confirm five nominees as executive directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The nominees are: Francis Alabo Ogaree (executive director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure) and Dr. Mustapha Lamorde (executive director, health, safety, environment and community).
Others are: Mansur Kuliya (executive director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund); Bashir Sadiq (executive director, corporate services and administration) and Dr. Zainab Gobir (executive director, economic regulations and strategic planning).
Also, the prayed urged the senate to confirm four nominees for appointment as national commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The nominees are: Dr. Yusuf Ali (north central), Chidi Ike (southeast), Mr. Nathan Shatti (northeast), and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (south-south).
