Senate rejects NCC nominee who called for its dissolution

The senate has refused to confirm Saidu Abubakar, a nominee of the governing board of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), who called for its dissolution.

Abubakar made the call when he appeared before the senate committee on communications, for screening.

A member of the committee had confronted the nominee asking why he was appearing before the same senate he wanted scrapped.

In his response, Abubakar, who had earlier participated in protests calling for the scrapping of the senate, said the cost of running the legislative chamber was high.

He noted that a situation where the senators had been receiving huge transport, ward robe and dressing allowances and others was a clear economic loss to the country.

Abubakar also listed the purchase of expensive vehicles for senators as another reason why the upper chamber should done away with.

He told the committee that he had no regret for his actions, insisting that he was still convinced that “the senate is an avenue for wastage of scarce economic resources of the country”.

While presenting the report of the screening on Thursday, Gilbert Nnaji, chairman of the committee, said some inconsistencies were discovered in the credentials of Abubakar, whose highest academic qualification is a diploma in computer science, and that of Ezekiel Yissa, another nominee.

Out of the seven nominees who were screened, the senate only approved the appointment of five.

They are Olabiyi Durojaiye (chairman), Sunday Dare (executive commissioner), Clement Omeiza Baiye (commissioner), Okoi Ofem Obono Obia (commissioner), and Ifeanyi Ararume (commissioner).