The Deputy Senate President assured the new AuGF that the issue of funding of the Auditor-General’s office will be addressed in the MTEF.
The Senate has screened and confirmed the appointment of Shaakaa K. Chira as Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF).
It also confirmed the appointment of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Recall that President Bola Tinubu on 20 October, approved the appointment of Mr. Shaakaa Chira as the substantive Auditor-General of the Federation, as recommended by the Federal Civil Service Commission.
During the screening exercise during Wednesday’s plenary, Shaakaa Chira expressed concern over the lack of funding for the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF).
Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano) assured that the National Assembly will address the issue in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) before it to ensure the smooth running of the office.
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“They do not provide money for them and they have been having this issue but this will certainly be addressed in the MTEF,” he said.
Just before asking the nominee to “take a bow and go”, Barau said, “We need to keep that office alive for the purpose of transparency and accountability in the country.”
Similarly, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC.
They include Etekamba Umoren – Akwa-Ibom State; Isah Shaka Ehimeakne – Edo State Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola – Ekiti State; Mr. Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aii – Gombe State; Shehu Wahab – Kwara State; Mr. Aminu Kasimi Idris – Nasarawa State, and Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq – Niger State
In her presentation, Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola informed that she has been working with the National Electoral Commission since 1990 till date.
According to her, she is a Fellow at the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), and also has a Masters Degree in Election Management.
Also, Abubakar Ahmed Majaii mentioned that he had previously served as a Chief Legislative Aide and later rose to the level of Director with the National Assembly Civil Service Commission from where he retired.
On his part, Etekarnba Umoren from Akwa-Ibom State said he served as Chief of staff to the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State as well as a Permanent Secretary to the Government of the State
Referring to the nominee’s resume, Deputy Speaker Barau further asked, “With all the good work you have done according to your resume, will you repeat the same thing when confirmed by the Senate?
If you will, then I urge all our colleagues to just allow him take a bow and go”
Meanwhile, three RECs nominees were absent from the screening. They are; Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindem – Lagos, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha – Rivers, Abubakar Fawa Dambo – Zamfara.
Reasons for their absence were not made known.
