Senate, Tuesday, witnessed a rowdy session following the submission of reports of the Committee on Anti-corruption which recommended the confirmation of some nominees of the commission.
The uproar led to the suspension of confirmation of the nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.
The committee, led by Chukwuka Utazi, had recommended that the Senate confirm Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Najib and Adeleke Rafiu as members of the commission.
“The committee observed that three out of the four nominees were from the North Central, North-East and North-West geopolitical zones, with only one nominee from the southern part of the country- that is South-West.
“The committee notes that this is not in strict compliance with the Federal Character Principle as provided for in section 14 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The committee makes this observation to guide the Executive in future nominations,” Utazi said.
In their contributions, Senators Rabiu Kwankwanso (PDP-Kano Central) and Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano North) supported the recommendation of the committee for the nominees’ confirmation, citing their “experience and competence”.
However, senators from the southern part of the country protested the lists, lamenting the non-appointment of peope from the South South and South East in the anti-graft agency.
Speaking after the anti-corruption chairman presented his report, Victor Umeh, the senator representing Anambra Central, said the nominees should not be confirmed because the South East and South South were excluded.
He said: “The South South and South East are not accommodated in the commission. On the issue of the fight against corruption, it involves all parts of Nigeria.
“If you look at the composition of Mr President, some people will think that the fight against corruption is instituted against them. There is need to take people from other geo-political zones.”
He noted that Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the commission; and Olanipkekun Olukoyede, secretary of the commission, were from the North East and South West respectively.
The senator said the four nominees to be confirmed were neither from the South South or South East.
In his response, Utazi said a committee set up to look at the President’s alleged lopsided appointments had “gone underground and refused to present a report”.
Supporting Umeh in his submission, Enyinnaya Abaribe,the senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the consideration of the nominees should be stepped down until it was amended.
Similarly, Senator Mathew Urighide (PDP-Edo-South), who supported Umeh, said exclusion of the South-South and South-East was painting the picture that people from the zones were “real criminals” in the country.
Urighide also called on the Senate to step down consideration of the report until Federal Character was reflected in the nomination.
However, Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, said Utazi should have drawn the attention of the Senate leadership to the matter, instead of bringing a report urging them to confirm the nominees.
It was at this point both Utazi and senator representing Bauchi Central, Isah Misau, interrupted Ndume.
While Misau said “we must not divide Nigeria,” Utazi was heard saying “I have the floor, go and sit down.”
“You have a rowdy floor,” another senator said.
The disorderliness went on for about 10 minutes and this prompted the lawmakers to go into a closed-door session abruptly.
When they emerged from the closed-door session, Bukola Saraki, Senate President announced that it had been agreed that the confirmation of the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, nominees should be suspended for further legislative input.
