POLL: Nigerians want Buhari to retain Magu at EFCC, despite Senate rejection

Even though the Senate rejected Mr Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the EFCC, Nigerians have voted that President Muhammadu Buhari retain him in that position.

The Senate, had on the 15th of December, 2016, declined to confirm Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), basing its decision on a report from the Department of State Services (DSS).

The decision had even threatened to divide the Red Chamber, as Majority Leader, Ali Ndume gave an interpretation to the action saying Magu was not rejected.

However, Senate spokesman, Abdullahi Sabi faulted Ndume’s claims, and even dissociated the Senate leadership from Ndume’s denial.

According to him, “the Senate rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination to Mr. President for further action. There is no confusion here. We have said it is based on security reports”.

Few days after, the President ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami to investigate claims made by the Senate against Magu.

On December 21st, 2016, the AGF, Malami queried embattled Magu, who has reportedly responded to the query, though the content of the response is unknown.

It is still unclear whether or not President Buhari will forward a new name to the Senate as a replacement or insist on the confirmation of Magu as EFCC chairman. The President is yet to make a personal statement on the issue.

Ripples Nigeria went to town in a survey to seek the views of Nigerians on the issue.

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The question was ‘Should President Buhari drop Magu as EFCC chairman based on Senate’s rejection?’

About 59 per cent of respondents voted ‘No’ while 38.4 per cent voted ‘Yes’, and three per cent where undecided.

The poll which was well promoted on social media platforms, reached no less than 689,351 people, and generated well over four thousand comments plus about 1,373 shares from Nigerians from various walks of life spread across the country and beyond.

Many of the commentators argued that the Senate rejected the nomination of Mr. Magu because lawmakers having corruption cases hanging over their necks were afraid they would not be able to manipulate him to drop such cases, or thread softly.

Some, however, argued that Magu was being used by President Buhari to chase perceived opponents, and that the fight against corruption was insincere, and one sided.

The majority however, insisted that Buhari retain Magu as boss of the anti-graft agency to continue his work there.

 

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