National Assembly Refuse To Confirm President’s Nominees in New Bid to Force Magu’s Removal

National Assembly Refuse To Confirm President’s Nominees in New Bid to Force Magu’s Removal

There are indications that members of the National Assembly have begun fresh moves to force President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Mr Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A first step in the above direction was reportedly taken at a rapprochement dinner between the president and members of the National Assembly earlier in the week where some lawmakers pointedly asked the president why the resolutions of the legislative bodies recommending Magu’s sack had not been complied with.

The lawmakers were also said to have hinted that Magu’s removal would continue to be a condition for the Nigerian Senate’s consideration of about 45 outstanding appointments made by the president.

The new call for Magu’s removal was reportedly championed by a senator from the south-west who was backed by a member of the House of Representatives who previously supported Magu.

President Buhari is however said to have only listened calmly but glossed over the request for Magu’s replacement.

A top presidency source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told newsmen that the lawmakers felt a bit shocked that the president was not forthcoming on their request.

“Apart from the concern over Magu, a principal officer of the House of Representatives also shocked the President on how he raised issues over non-appointment of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into key positions.

“The affected principal officer said lack of empowerment of APC members was making loyalty to the government difficult,” the source said.

The presidency source also revealed that President Buhari was “non-committal” about the lawmakers’ request because there were more than seven suits in the court over Magu’s continued stay in office aside the fact that the president is not one to take decisions on the spur of the moment without first weighing all sides to the matter.

“Beyond the cases, there were other issues which cropped up including allegations against Magu which the President discovered were unfounded.

“Although some forces in government wanted Magu out, there is also international dimension to it. Some donor agencies and a few countries collaborating with Nigeria on anti-corruption war were okay with the performance of Magu,” the source said.

The Nation lists some of the president’s nominees awaiting confirmation to include those of the National Pension Commission; the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB); the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); the new CBN Deputy Governor and members of the Monitoring Policy Committee (MPC); Chairman and chairman of the Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) among others.