Reason has been given why Monday Udo Tom, resident Electoral Commissioner from Akwa Ibom State was not confirmed by the Senate since March 2018.
It is alleged that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan representing Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate blocked the confirmation of Tom, an indigene of Ukat in Nsit Ubium local government area in Akwa Ibom on a purported political reason.
The Senate had June 7, 2018 reversed the confirmation of Tom, as an INEC Commissioner after 24 hours of initially confirming him.
The commissioner’s confirmation was reversed following a point of order raised by Senator Albert Akpan, who informed the lawmakers that there was a petition dated February 5, 2018 against the nominee from Akwa Ibom.
However, a close source told Straightnews in Uyo that “The Senator popularly called OBA blocked Tom on the basis that if his appointment was confirmed, it would boost the political profile of Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Senate) suspected to be instrumental to the appointment.”
Enang and OBA hail from Ibiono Ibom local government area. Enang is All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain while OBA is Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, big wig.
“Tom had worked with Aniefiok Thompson also known as WINMOS, the then deputy speaker in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly before Senator Enang appointed him then when he represented Uyo Senatorial District as one of his personal assistants.
“His work had ended and he returned to civil service job. Enang is not even instrumental to the appointment of Tom as INEC Commissioner. I wonder why OBA turned it to a political matter to frustrate a gentleman and a man of integrity,” the source lamented.
“I know OBA has a tendency to frustrate anybody he sees as a political rival. He frustrated his brother, Ime from being a Senator. And he wanted to use the same tactics to frustrate an innocent person on what was seen as a perceived political vendetta,” the source recalled.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Wednesday, January 30, swore in Monday U. Tom at the Commission’s Headquarters Abuja.
“It is my pleasure to address you on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of a new REC whose nomination was confirmed by the Senate last week,” the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said.
“The appointment of Elder Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State brings the total number of RECs nationwide to 36 out 37 States and the FCT.
“You will exercise supervisory control over personnel, resources as well as legal and administrative processes in the State to which you are posted. You will also interact with various categories of stakeholders,” the chairman added.
After the confirmation was turned down then, the Senate asked the Committee on Ethics and Petitions to look into the matter and report back. However, nothing was heard about the nomination until Tom’s confirmation on January 18.
Tom holds a B.Sc. degree in Biological Science and a Master’s degree in Microbiology. He served as lecturer and civil servant in Akwa Ibom State.
After his swearing in, the commission deployed him to Bayelsa State. The Akwa Ibom Rec Commissioner is an elder of Mount Zion Lighthouse Gospel Church.
Mahmood said they are still awaiting the confirmation and appointment of the nominee for Osun State.
