The Senate on Thursday confirmed four Commissioners for Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC.
Among those confirmed was Aliyu Abubakar (North-East) whose nomination was rejected in 2018 by the former senate led by Dr. Bukola Saraki.
President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the senate to confirm the nominees for the NCC.
The president’s request was contained in three letters read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the upper legislative chamber last Tuesday.
Buhari based his request on section 8 (1) of NCC act and section 5 (2) of NIPSS.
Others confirmed as non-executive Commissioners for NCC were, Prof. Millionaire Abowei (South-south) and Abdulaziz Mohammed (North-central). Mr. Uba Maska, was reappointed and confirmed as Executive Commissioner (North West).
The lawmakers also confirmed Abu Galadima as Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS.
The confirmation came after the ad hoc committee that screened the nominees said they met all the requirements expected of them.
While presenting the report, Senator Teslim Folarin (Oyo central) who chaired the committee said “The committee hereby recommends that they be confirmed as non-executive commissioners of NCC.
“That the senate do approve the recommendation to confirm the nominees.”
However, there were moves by some senators to stop the confirmation of Abubakar, but they were stalled by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, pointed out that the position for the south-east on the board of NCC was vacant as “the nominee and member of the board from south-east ran for governorship of Imo State.”
He therefore urged the executive to fill the position of the south-east.