The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday demonstrated its anger over what it termed disrespect by some President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees. While Comptroller General of Customs Hameed Ali, who refused to either wear Customs uniform or appear before the upper chamber, was asked to resign for being unfit to hold public office, the Senate refused to confirm the nomination of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, as substantive Chairman of the agency. Both men, however, have remained in office.

To demonstrate their anger over the development, the Senate on Tuesday refused to confirm the nomination of the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent by Buhari. They rather stood it down for two weeks, citing disrespect for the Senate by some of President Buhari’s appointees.

Reacting on the development, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu asked Senate President Bukola Saraki to convey their feelings to President Buhari before further action.

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of Delta North had earlier suggested during plenary that Senate stepped down the confirmation since the nominees are acting, adding that “President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees are fond of disrespecting the Senate.”

Another lawmaker, Senator Francis Alimikhena of Edo North, said: “Let’s hear from President Buhari on Magu’s case. Magu is terrorising us, because we disqualified him.”

Contributing to the debate, Senator Matthew Uroghide, representing Edo South, said of Magu: “After Senate’s decision, he is still acting Chairman of the EFCC.”

Exprressing similar sentiment, Senator Sam Anyanwu of Imo East said: “If the Senate is ridiculed, our institution has been ridiculed. We will try as much as possible to promote this institution.”

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