Melaye slams executive over ‘unlawful’ appointment of lottery commission DG

Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, on Wednesday, said that a new director-general of national lottery commission has assumed office without due confirmation.

The senator said the new DG had already begun performing the functions of his office without any referral to the upper legislative chamber.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari took over power at exactly 12:04 hours 29th May 2015, what the president and my party promised Nigerians is the respect for the rule of law and also to combat the monster called corruption,” Melaye said during plenary.

“Mr. President I want to bring to your attention of the senate chamber, quoting from the national lottery Act specifically section 8 (1) of that Act reads as follows ‘there shall be a commission and a director-general whom shall be appointed by the President and subject to the confirmation of the senate’.

“It is sad to note this morning that a new director-general of the national lottery commission has not only been appointed by the President, he has assumed office and has started signing documents carrying out the functions of the office of the director-general of the national lottery commission without referral or confirmation of the Nigerian senate.

Melaye noted that nominees for other agencies were currently awaiting the approval of the upper legislative chamber.

He wondered why the name of the lottery commission DG was not sent to the senate for confirmation.

“This country is not a banana republic and the executive arm of government cannot choose the laws to obey and the one not to obey. As I speak to you this morning we have chairman of national electrical regulatory Commission for confirmation, we have for confirmation the board of the NDDC and some others. Why will there be selective respect for the rule of law?” he asked.

“Mr President at the end of the day the rule of law is to be respected. It is safer to be loyal to the people of the federal republic of Nigeria than to be afraid of the wrath of the EFCC or the executive.

“The truth is the truth and this chamber will stand on the truth and the rule of law must be respected and we must communicate this misbehaviour and rascality with great concern.”