Rigging clip: Reps ask Senate to stop Obanikoro’s screening

Posted by: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi

Members of the House of Representatives have asked the Senate not to confirm Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a minister, until the scandal of the Ekiti rigging audio clip has been investigated.
The lawmakers said due to the weight of the allegations, there was need to ascertain Obanikoro’s involvement in the alleged rigging of the last June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.
President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a list of eight ministerial nominees, including Obanikoro, to the Senate.
Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in a motion of urgent national importance, said in light of the damning audio clip, it was necessary to probe the involvement of the army in the postponement of the elections earlier slated for February 14 and 28.
“The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, said the elections were postponed because the military said it could not guarantee security for the election. We should look at it critically to see if the military has a role in the postponement of the elections.”
The motion was slated for debate today.
In a chat with The Nation after plenary yesterday, Gbajabiamila and Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts Solomon Olamilekan Adeola said the Senate should neither screen nor confirm Obanikoro, pending the conclusion of the probe into the audio clip.
Gbajabiamila said: “Part of my prayer is to have the audio clip of the Ekiti election investigated because it is a matter that this House has to address to determine whether or not the military has a role to play in our elections.
“My prayer is to investigate it and then for the government to declare that we cannot use the military in the election. There are two court judgments now. In the last few weeks; the Court of Appeal judgment states that the military has no role in election.
“They should fire the Commanding Officer of 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig-General Aliyu Momoh and Obanikoro because you can’t have such evidence and a week later you confirm them, it’s not done. In another country, he will be facing trial.”
According to him, INEC as an independent body, acted within the purview of the law, adding that there was no need for consultation with the National Assembly before taking such step.
“What led to the postponement is the question we need to ask. The commission would only require the National Assembly’s approval in case there is need for another postponement. Which they won’t get.”
Adeola described the allegation against Obanikoro as weighty and said there was need for an in-depth probe before the Senate’s approval.
“We are calling on the Senate to investigate before clearing Senator Obanikoro for any appointment. If he is found wanting, his nomination should be declined by the Senate.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/rigging-clip-reps-ask-senate-to-stop-obanikoros-screening/

His name should be crossed out for even being in the middle of a major controversy like that.

An iota of truth in this allegation

That should be the norm. The President should have taken the lead by not even including his name among the ministerial nominees. The steps taken by the Reps are commendable. Hope the Senate will follow suit.

Koro will regret ever dumping the court case against just kidding

naija n wahala

Gej forwarding criminals as ministers since 2009.

buhari till God screen Gej brain for him to get sense small

And if senate refuse to stop them what will the APC do?

In other countries public officers accused of having an extra-marital affairs resign their offices in shame.

Travel to Nigeria and you'll find politicians accused of weightier offences such as rigging in a democratic setting, living their normal luxurious life like nothing happened.

Thank God Jonathan was able to destroy PDP for us.

GMB/PYO our choice for the next four years.

Eggcelent:
That should be the norm. The President should have taken the lead by not even including his name among the ministerial nominees. The steps taken by the Reps are commendable. Hope the Senate will follow suit.

The president is the most corrupt Nigerian. Even Abacha was a learner.

Why does the President like to disgrace himself?

Obanikoro will be rejected by the Senate.

I no knw maybe them swear for GEj to always be involving himself with criminals. If you want to be a friend of GEJ you should start by stealing and also be very clueless.

Pls @lalasticlala, seun can we have this on frontpage so everyone knows the Ekiti saga has not been brushed aside.

Please the senate should do the needful and take his name off the ministerial nomination list till pending investigations are completed

I am very afraid because koro is likely not to be screen but just ask to bow and he's cleared.


There is a National Assembly standing rule that except the former members from rigures of screening before confirmation for any appointment post and David Mark & company may likely invoke that order to give koro a pass.

Obanikoroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo going gone

Dem fit? He must take a bow and leave;

1. As a former Senator.

2. As a fellow rigger.

Robbish!
apc should take their evidence to a court!
the witchcraft with broom want to stop the progress of the vibrant, young, dynamic Obanikoro.

#WhatIsThe WorkOfWitchCraftWithBroom?

Stop your progress!


reject apc.

Dem fit? He must take a bow and leave;

1. As a former Senator.

2. As a comrade-at-rigging.

Anybody can see. Jonathan is the petrol that was poured on this govt. APC only struck the match!!

This is where My President has always failed....

Let the drunkard that sent the chief 'riggger's name for ministerial position be impeached first of all


Outside the shores of Nigeria, the drunkard would have been history years and years back


#GMB4Change!

This Ekitigate saga will only get messier for obanikoro and co. The senate shouldn't confirm anything until he is vindicated from these allegations.

The senate I know headed by David Mark an ally of the mass murderer of jobless graduates of Nigeria(Abba Moro) will clear Koro even without screening. So unfortunate. Smh