Buhari wrote Senate to renew the confirmation of Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa), Obo O. Effanga (Cross River) Alh. Umar Ibrahim (Taraba), Dr. Agboke Mutiu Olaleke (Ogun) and Prof. Samuel E. Egwu (Kogi) as INEC Commissioners.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Senate, on Tuesday, received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari, to confirm the nomination of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The request was contained in a letter dated July 25, 2022, and read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the start of plenary on Tuesday.
The letter 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.
“While I hope that the submission will be considered in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Justice Ariwoola’s appointment as CJN by Buhari followed the resignation of former Chief Justice Muhammad Tanko on June 27.
Tanko’s resignation was against the backdrop of a protest by 14 aggrieved Justices over issues of welfare.
However, the former CJN, in his resignation letter, cited health grounds as reason for his decision.
In another letter to the Senate dated July 21, President Muhammadu Buhari requested the upper chamber to confirm the nomination of Dr. Suleiman Agha Afikpo as Commissioner representing the South-East zone, at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
He explained that the request was in accordance with the provision of Section 3(2) of the Hajj Commission Act. Cap. 321, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
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In the same vein, the president sought Senate’s confirmation of 19 nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmation request to the upper chamber was contained in another letter also dated July 25, which was read at plenary by Lawan.
Buhari, who said the request was in accordance with the Provisions of Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), explained that the nomination of five Resident Electoral Commissioners are for renewal, while the other 14 are fresh appointments.
The nominees for confirmation include: Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa – Renewal); Obo O. Effanga (Cross River – Renewal); Alh. 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); Amb. 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); Barr. Hudu Yunusa (Bauchi); Prof. Uzochukwu Ikemefuna Chijioke (Anambra); and Mohammed B. Nura (Yobe).