Magu Remains Rejected – Senate

The Senate has countered its Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, by restating its rejection of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


The Senate had last Thursday turned down a request from the Presidency that Mr. Magu be confirmed for the top EFCC job.

But four days after the Senate’s initial position, Mr. Ndume told journalists at the State House on Monday that Mr. Magu was not rejected until integrity issues raised in the SSS reports are resolved.
But in a counter reaction, Abdullahi Sabi, the Senate’s spokesperson, on Tuesday said

“This is the official position of the Senate,” The call to national duty is crucial. So, I am here based on series of calls and text messages from you about what you thought are conflicting messages. It has become critical for the Senate to clarify issues. The 8th Senate believes in its integrity.

“We uphold and promote the rule of law, which is the basic thing about our democracy. We are committed to doing things differently to stabilise the polity in the collective interest of Nigerians.
“I would like to make the following clarifications:

“I’m holding the votes and proceeding of Thursday. We had two votes and proceeding because we had to go into joint session to receive President Buhari.

“Our votes and proceedings are the official records of what transpired in chamber. I briefed you on Thursday to the effect that the Senate is announcing that in view of security reports we were unable to confirm Magu.
“We then rejected and returned the nomination to President Buhari for further action.

“Media reports emerging, especially from interviews granted by Sen. Ndume, meant we have to clarify issues.
“For the records, I am the official spokesman of the Senate and I intend to discharge this with honour and integrity because the sanctity of the institution is crucial to the sustenance of democracy.
“To clarify, I have only one point of reference, which is, the votes and proceedings.
“This is the only official position of the Senate. What I say, I say to on behalf of the Senate. Nigerians should be guided. There is no ambiguity in what we said.

“Senate is an institution and we are working with the Constitution and whatever rules we use, our powers are drawn from the constitution.
“We also want the media to be guided in the matter because of some misleading news in the public domain.