Senate moves to appeal against ruling on contentious section in Electoral Act – Nexus News
The Senate, yesterday, decided to appeal against the directive of a Federal High Court in Abia State, which voided Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The decision came after a motion sponsored by Senator George Seikibo and 81 others on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Umuahia on case number, FHC/UM/CS/26/2022.
The controversial section demands ministers, heads of agencies and other political appointees to leave office before participating in primaries, conventions and other electoral activities.
The court, had, last Friday, ruled that the section was a violation of certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It specifically requested the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to remove the section from the Act
But in a joint resolution, the lawmakers agreed to proceed to the appellate court to set aside the judgment.
HOWEVER, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, stated that relevant government agencies were working towards obeying the court directive on Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act.
Responding to questions from newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, the AGF said the removal of the section was a work in progress, noting that it is being considered as such.
BESIDES, the Red Chamber has confirmed seven nominees for Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) membership.
The MPC is an arm of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated for fixing interest rates.
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The confirmation was prior to the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions submitted by its chairman, Uba Sani.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in a February 23, 2022 correspondence, stated that the confirmation and membership renewal request was made in line with Section 12(4) of the Central Bank Act (2007).
It involves two new members and five returning ones. The new members are Prof. Mohammed Salisu and Dr. Mo’Omamegbe.
Those whose membership have been renewed are Prof. Michael Obadan, Prof. Festus Adeola Adenikinju, Prof. Aliyu Sanusi Rafindadi, Dr. Robert Asogwa and Aliyu Ahmed.
Sani noted that the nominees possess sufficient academic qualification, technical knowledge and professional experience to serve as members of the committee.
The senator stated that his panel did not receive any request challenging the nominations, adding that the nominees had been cleared by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS) and secured the Code of Conduct’s acknowledgement slip.
He also added that one of the nominees, Ahmed, is the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and would, therefore, serve as the representative of the ministry, as mandated by extant laws.
