Senate rejects 2 NCC nominees

The Senate has rejected two nominees on the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC).

The upper legislative chamber, however, confirmed five nominees on the NCC Governing Board.

This followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Communications.

Those rejected include: Aliyu Sa’ida Abubakar (Bauchi State), nominated for the position of Stakeholders Management as well as Ezekiel Yissa from Kwara State, nominated as Non-Executive Commissioner.

On the other hand, those confirmed are: Olabiyi Durojaiye (Ogun) Chairman, Sunday Dare (Oyo) Executive Commissioner, Clement Baiye (Kogi) Non-Executive Commissioner, Okoi Obono-Obla (Cross River) Non-Executive Commissioner and Ifeanyi Ararume (Imo) Non-Executive Commissioner.

In recent times, President Buhari has come under fire from APC stalwarts including governors and lawmakers, who insist that they were not sidelined by the President but that his political appointments are lopsided.

Presenting the report of the committee, Chairman Senate Committee on Communications Gilbert Nnaji, submitted that while Abubakar is “not prepared for the demands of the office,” Yissa’s nomination is like a square peg in a round hole.

“Abubakar’s response to the questions and issues raised by the committee unveils him as a candidate who is not prepared for the demands of office.

“Yissa’s background as a career nursing officer will not put him in good stead to be able to effectively cope with the dynamics of the communications sector if his nomination is confirmed,” the report stated.

At the screening of the nominees on October 18, the Committee confronted Abubakar with evidence that he led a protest against the National Assembly, which he admitted. He also called for the scrapping of the Senate.

Ironically, the other disqualified nominee, Ezekiel, was a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The Senate also confirmed the appointments of Dauda Bage and Paul Galinje as justices of the Supreme Court as well as approved the appointment of six commissioners-designate for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

They include Okechukwu Ibeanu, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Ahmed Mu’Azu, Mohammed Haruna, Adekunle Ogunmola and Abubakar Nahuche.