President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for confirmation of nomination of candidates for appointment as chairmen and members
of some Federal Government Agencies sparked heated argument in the Senate for alleged lopsidedness.
Trouble started when the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Buhari requesting Senate confirmation of chairman and members of board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA.
Hardly had Saraki finished reading the President’s letter when Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate came under a “point of order” to complain bitterly about lopsided nature of the appointments in favour of the North where President Buhari comes from. This received support of majority of senators at the plenary on Thursday.
However, Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan tried vehemently to disagree with Ekweremadu, saying Ekweremadu was not looking at the holistic picture of Buhari’s appointments, but this didn’t appease members.
Saraki then ruled that the consideration of the President’s request be put on hold and directed Senate Committee on Federal Character to submit a comprehensive report on Buhari’s appointments next Tuesday.
As if that was not enough, another request of Buhari for confirmation of nomination for appointment into Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC was also sternly opposed by members. Senator Utazi Chukwuma, Enugu North urged the Senate not to consider it too. He was supported by many members, but the Senate President thought otherwise. He referred the request to Senate Committee on Public Service and Establishment with a caveat that the report would either by considered by the Senate or not depending on the outcome of the report of the Senate Committee on Federal Character. This didn’t go down with many members, but Saraki overruled them.