President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, January 30, urged the Senate to confirm the sack of the chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera.
Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.
The letter was titled: “Disengagement of the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Act 2018.”
The letter reads in part: “I hereby seek the kind confirmation of the Senate in respect of the disengagement from office of Babatunde Irukera as executive vice chairman, chief executive officer of the FCCPC with effect from Monday 8 January 2024.
“While I hope that this Senate will consider this request expeditiously, please do accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished senators the assurances of my highest regards.”
Tinubu’s request comes three weeks after he relieved Irukera of his duties as FCCPC boss.
The presidency had explained that the president’s action was “in conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.”
Also, Tinubu sought the confirmation of Oluwole Andama as the Executive Director of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund in the Nigerian Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Senate President Akpabio, however, referred both requests by the President to the Senate Committee of the Whole and Senate Committee on Gas and Downstream respectively for further legislative action.
The Senate thereafter entered into an executive section to discuss urgent matters of national importance, which Akpabio said pertained to national security.
Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale stated that the “two dismissed Chief Executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers”.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer