Why Senate must suspend ministerial nominees’ screening, by CLO

• ‘Corrupt, old hands not wanted’
• CNPP urges speedy confirmation

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has called for suspension of screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees pending when the nomination covers the 36 states of the country “in line with the provisions of the constitution.”

The Enugu branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged the Senate not to confirm any nominee with corruption issues hanging on his or her neck.

But the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has appealed to the lawmakers to speedy the process in the interest of Nigerians.

In a statement, CNPP cautioned against rancorous screening and confirmation, saying it will neither appease nor reassure the good people of Nigeria who are anxiously waiting for the progressive change they voted for.

The statement issued by CNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, urged the lawmakers to handle the task with a high sense of responsibility and understanding “so as to engender cordial bi-partisan relationship between the executive and the legislature and ensure good governance.” The group urged the lawmakers not to be persuaded by those agitating against the approval of some of the nominees in the interest of the nation.

In a petition sent to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, CLO said the provisions of Sections 14 (3), 15 (2) and 147 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the Affirmative Action on Women and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) must be met before any debate, screening or approval of the ministerial list could be effected.

The petition signed by the CLO’s Executive Director, Ibuchukwu Ezike, and made available to The Guardian in Enugu, added: “We reason that it might be dangerous for the Senate to consider the list sent in batches as Mr. President may decide to neglect the remaining 15 states, ignore all these categories of the population, and make do with 21 ministers in total breach of the constitution and aforementioned human rights instruments. Our fear is inspired by Mr. President’s desire to prune the ministries without amendment of the Constitution, especially as he explained in his October 1, 2015, broadcast.

“Sir, our understanding of this statement is that Mr. President hasfinalised on the number of ministries his government wants to run andministers who would run them before sending his nomination list to the Senate. We also make bold to say that what has delayed the appointment of ministers for four months was not the claim that Mr. President was diligently looking for competent, honest and hardworking Nigerians to appoint as no new names were included on the list but politicians who are well known to him. The truth was that he was working on the number of ministries to work with in total disrespect to the National Assembly and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Is it not possible that Mr. President may decide to get his wish achieved through the back door?

“Never in the history of democratic practice in our country has such list been sent to the Senate in batches, especially when Mr. President had four good months since he assumed office as the President of the Federation to screen and nominate his, at least, 36 wise men and women.

“The nationwide protests that have followed the nomination indicate that there may be breaches in the nomination process and, therefore, there is the need for the Senators to fully listen to all protestants in order to ensure that justice and due process are followed by Mr. President and the Senate in the choice of the ministers.”

CLO, also demanded that any nominee with allegation of corruption should not be screened until the person has been cleared. The group appealed that the list be returned to the President to enable him attach portfolios to the names being suggested.

The Enugu branch of CAN, in a statement by its Secretary, Apostle Joseph Ajujungwa, urged the lawmakers to disqualify any of the nominees who has advanced in age.