Why President Buhari wants Magu as EFCC chairman even though the Senate rejected him – Hon Nwuke

Honorable Ogbonna Nwuke has said that there must be something very special in Ibrahim Magu that his made President Muhammadu Buhari stick to him as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Senate had rejected Magu as chairman of the EFCC and in a dramatic fashion, suspended the screening of 27 REC members over his continuation as acting chairman.

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Honorable Nwuke noted that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki was under investigation for corrupt practices at a period when he was supposed to be working with the president for the development of the country.

He said: “The face off between the Presidency and the Senate is rather unfortunate. Unfortunate in the sense that the reaction of the Senate whose president is under investigation for alleged corrupt practices sends wrong signals at a time that the entire country wants the corruption war prosecuted to a logical conclusion.

“There must be a strong reason why the Presidency believes Magu is the right man for the job but those strong reasons which support Magu’s choice, in my opinion, are responsible for the stiff opposition to his confirmation by a section of the Senate.

“If the Presidency is still insisting on Magu, it is possible that there may be new facts, new information that may not have been available to the Senate at the time of the screening. Somehow, the Senate President is expected to meet with President Buhari over some issues, including Magu’s.

“My expectation is that the two leaders may well use the opportunity to address areas of growing differences between the Senate and the Presidency, at least to guarantee synergy and understanding.

“I think that we all must work towards the realisation of the goals of state; ensure that core policy perspectives which define the mission of the administration and the APC are effectively pursued.

“Of course, there is the doctrine of the separation of powers. So the Senate may not be totally out of place in taking certain steps.

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“But Saraki is supposed to appreciate the position of Buhari’s government having been on the campaign trail with the president.

“We saw Speaker Ryan in the United States tow a path of responsible politicking. As Speaker, he had an unusual health bill to market in place of Obamacare. He stood by the Republican party which had promised to kill Obamacare and stood by the President of the United States even when votes required were not sufficient to upturn Obamacare. Saraki should really take a cue from here and help Nigeria at a time of great need.”