The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet (Plateau) for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Upper Chamber also said it would screen the seven ministerial nominees forwarded to it on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari next Wednesday.
Longpet’s confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), in his presentation, said Longpet’s nomination was made pursuant to the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
He disclosed the nominee, while appearing before the Committee for screening, gave explanations regarding his personal life, work experiences, suitability, competence and integrity for appointment as Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said members of the Committee commended the nominee’s impressive Curriculum Vitae and satisfactory answers to the questions posed.
The nominee was, thereafter, confirmed by the Upper Chamber.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has said that the seven ministerial nominees forwarded to the chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation would be screened on Wednesday next week.
Lawan disclosed this shortly before the Senate adjourned plenary.
“The ministerial nominees will be screened on Wednesday, next week”, he said.
Buhari, in a letter dated June 15, 2022, requested the Senate to confirm the nomination of seven ministerial nominees.
He said the confirmation request was made in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The nominees for confirmation include: Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State; Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State; Ekumankama Joseph Nkama- Ebonyi State; and Goodluck Nanah Opiah – Imo State.
Others are Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State; Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State; and Odum Udi – Rivers State.
The nominees are expected to be screened individually by the upper chamber during the plenary.