Senate Reneges On Own Word, Confirms Osinbajo’s Appointees

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of eight more Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The confirmation comes weeks after the upper legislative arm suspended screening and confirmation of all nominees from Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo until all issues as regards confirmation of appointments are resolved.

However, speaking during plenary on Thursday, Senate President, Bukola Saraki told the lawmakers that the resolve would be limited to agencies stated in the constitution of which the electoral body INEC, is included.

The Senate had on June 1 approved the appointment of 15 of the 27 nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari, leaving 12 awaiting confirmation.

Of the 12 nominees, 8 was appointed today (Thursday) and rejected the nominee from Niger State and stepped down the confirmation of the nominees from Kebbi, Lagos and Zamfara states.

President Buhari sent the names of 27 REC nominees to the Senate on March 23, 2017.