The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged double voter registration by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
The resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a Point of Order raised by Senator Mohammed Hassan at plenary by the assembly.
Hassan said there was a need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged double registration by the governor with a view to ensuring that the country’s electoral process was credible.
He said there was a need to investigate the process that allowed the governor access to multiple registrations.
“The governor of Kogi was involved in double voter registration and weeks after INEC confirmed that by sacking three of its staff.
“It was reported that he was issued another Temporary Voter Card (TVC) at his Okene ward.
“We are concerned about this and I think it is very important that the Senate Committee on INEC investigates and gets to the root of the matter.
“It is reported everywhere that he cannot be prosecuted because he has immunity but for the purpose of getting the picture right, I think the Senate Committee on INEC should investigate and get this matter right,’’ he said.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that credible electoral process was crucial in protecting the country’s democracy.
“The issue you are talking about is one that is important because the stability of our democracy depends on the credibility of our electoral process.
“And as such we must ensure that the process is one we must always be proud of, especially now that countries are looking at our electoral process.
“It is something the INEC committee should look into and report back to the Senate,’’ Saraki said.
Meanwhile, the Senate also resolved to investigate circumstances surrounding Mr Anthony Ojukwu’s alleged assumption of office as Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), without confirmation.
Consequently, it mandated the Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters to commence the probe.
The decision followed the adoption of a Point of Order raised by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West.
Citing Order 43 of the Senate’s Rules, Melaye had drawn attention of the lawmakers to a newspaper report which alleged that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, had ordered Ojukwu to assume office.
According to him, the AGF’s action is an affront on the authority of the senate.
“This is not the first time the AGF will be daring the Senate.
“I therefore call on the senate to henceforth disqualify appointees who assume office without confirmation,’’ Melaye had said.
In his remark, Saraki directed the Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the allegation.
He urged the committee to look into the matter with a view to verifying the authenticity or otherwise of the issues brought against the AGF.
Saraki cautioned against “growing penchant’’ by appointees to assume office without prerequisite confirmation from the senate.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in December, 2017, written to the Senate seeking confirmation of Ojukwu as NHRC Executive Secretary.
