Senate declines confirmation of REC nominee over APC membership

The Senate Wednesday rejected the nomination of Raheem Muideen Olalekan as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) over his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Senate said the nominee’s confirmation has been deferred until he satisfactorily clears himself of the allegations levelled against him by a petitioner.

However, the upper legislative chamber confirmed the appointment of two other nominees – Dr. Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson (Bayelsa) and Umar Mukhtar Gajiram (Borno).

The Senate resolutions followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC submitted by its Chairman, Kabiru Gaya,

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Gaya said the panel stopped the Osun State nominee’s confirmation because he could not defend the allegations of bias levelled against him by the petitioner.

Olalekan had admitted during the November 5 screening exercise he is a member of the APC.

But during debate on the report, efforts by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo – Agege, to save the embattled nominee failed.

Omo- Agege, a lawyer, argued that the petitioner did not show up at the Senate panel to defend his petition, hence the nominee should not be disqualified because of that.

But the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is also a lawyer, said the Committee stood down the confirmation of the nominee because he confirmed during screening that he was a card-carrying member of the APC.

He said the panel deferred Olalekan’s confirmation till when he would clear himself of the allegation.

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