The senate has approved the appointment of the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) alongside 11 members.
However, the upper chamber deferred the confirmation of
Nnanna Kalu, the second nominee from the south-east.
President Bola Tinubu had appointed members of the
commission on February 20.
Kalu, a former member of the house of representatives, is
the younger brother of Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north.
Cyrul Fasuyi, chairman of the senate committee on
establishment and public service, presented the report during plenary on
Wednesday.
He said the chairman of the commission is Saviour Enyiekere,
representing the south-south. Other members are Suleiman Hunkuyi, north-west,
and Yusuf Yusuf, north-west.
Others are Aminu Malle; north-east; Alhaji Mahmud;
north-east, Mark Terso; north-central, Salihu Balogun; north-central, Taiwo
Oluga; south-west, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun; south-west.
Festus Odii; south-east, Patrick Giwa; south-south, Mary
Ekpeyong; south-south, make up the list.
According to Fasuyi, the committee, based on its findings,
was satisfied with the nominees’ credentials, performance, experience, and
reputation.
However, he informed the senate that a petition had been
filed against one of the nominees from the south-east.
“Mr. President, there is a point that I would like you to
note. The committee recommends that the senate confirm the nominations of 12
out of the 13 members of the commission as chairman and members of NASC except
the nominee from the south-east zone,” he said.
“The member from the south-east zone should be stepped down
pending the outcome of the committee on ethics, code of conduct and public
petitions.”
Responding to Fasuyi’s remarks, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senate
deputy chief whip, clarified that he was not aware of any petition against the
nominee.
“I want to place on record that the two persons from
south-east were duly nominated, were qualified for the job. There is no
petition against them. It is not to my knowledge as a principal officer from
south-east,” he said.
“So, I appeal with the committee chairman to retract that
statement and present all the appointees to be cleared for confirmation.”
Osita Izunazo, senator representing Imo west, countered
Nwaebonyi’s claim, informing the senate that a pending petition had been filed
against Kalu.
“I have looked at the committee’s report. The best thing is
for us to adopt the report. A petition was laid yesterday, referred to the
committee on ethics and public petitions, and you gave them one week to report
back to you Mr president,” he said.
“And if you look at the order paper today, you will see that
the committee is meeting tomorrow, and by the time they meet tomorrow, they
will come back to present their report, so I believe it is right, it is proper,
it is just for us to accept the committee’s recommendation. So, we don’t go
forth and back.”
After the debate, the senate resolved into the committee of
the whole to deliberate on the report.
It was subsequently agreed that Kalu’s nomination be
deferred until the ethics committee submits its report.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio then put the motion to a
voice vote. Thereafter, the remaining nominees were confirmed.
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