by Azeez Adeniyi

Some members of the Nigerian Senate have revealed their anger over a comment made by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Punch reports.

The upper chamber had rejected Magu’s nomination twice due to allegations of corrupt practices leveled against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to remove him immediately.

However, Osinbajo while speaking last week ruled out the possibility of President Buhari replacing Magu with another nominee.

[Read Also: “WE LIKE THE GENTLEMAN AND WE WANT HIM TO CONTINUE” | OSINBAJO FULLY BEHIND MAGU]

He added that Buhari can still nominate him despite being rejected twice.

While responding, Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani condemned Osinbajo’s comments.

Sani said Osinbajo who leads a peace committee seeking to manage the crisis between the two arms of government should not have made such comments.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, given his position as the chairman of the reconciliation committee, he should have concentrated on ensuring harmony and mobilising support from the Senate, other than making further statements that may further worsen the situation.”

Another Senator, Chukwuka Utazi said Section 60 of the Constitution empowered the Senate to take its action on Magu.

“Any lawyer who says that what the Senate did or its stand is unconstitutional is not telling the whole truth; it is half-truth,” he said.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP/Abia North) said he was studying what the provisions of the EFCC Act on nomination and confirmation of the agency’s chairman.

He said, “I want to clarify the fact about whether we have the powers to say he shouldn’t act (as chairman of EFCC) because acting appointment is within the powers of the executive. Ours is to confirm the nominee and make the appointment substantive. And I don’t think there is anything in the Act that talks about acting. That is their business.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had set up a committee to resolve the rift between the Executive and Legislature.