Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Senate on Tuesday, confirmed the appointment of Aisha Dahir – Umar, as the substantive Director General of the National Pension Commission Board amidst protests from some senators .
Another nominee who was also confirmed by the Senate was Dr Oyindasola Oluremi Oni, from North Central as Chairman .
Also confirmed were Clement Akintola ( South – West); Ayim Nyerere ( South -East) and Charles Emukowhale ( South -South ) , as commissioners of the PenCom board .
The Senate, however , rejected the confirmation of Hannatu Musa ( North -West ) because she was unable to present her discharge certificate from the National Youths Service Corps .
Members of the Minority Caucus in the Senate last week sent a petition to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service, seeking the disqualification of Dahir -Umar as the substantive DG of PenCom .
Until her confirmation on Tuesday, Dahir -Umar, from the North- East geopolitical zone , held the position in acting capacity.
The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who argued against Dahir- Umar confirmation , insisted that since her predecessor did not complete her tenure , the position should be occupied by somebody from the South – East, where Mrs Chinelo Anohu – Amazu, whose five -year tenure was truncated, hailed from .
Ruling on Abaribe ’ s argument , the President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan, said the constitutional provisions relied upon by those who are kicking against the DG’ s appointment was not valid because the tenure of Anohu – Amazu’ s board had expired before the appointment of Dahir- Umar.
President Muhammadu Buhari had penultimate week , sent the name of Dahir -Umar to the Senate, seeking the lawmakers ’ confirmation for her to be the substantive DG and others , to the board of the agency .
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