Senate May Confirm New Auditor-General Wednesday

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate will wednesday consider the report of its Committee on Public Accounts on the screening of the Auditor-General of the Federation-designate, Anthony Mkpe Ayine.

If the report of the screening is favourable to Ayine and receives the support of the simple majority of members, the nominee will be confirmed.

Baring any last minute change of items listed on Senate Order for this week, the committee will lay the report of the screening before the Senate today while the report would be considered tomorrow.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2016, six months after the former Auditor-General of the Federation, Sam Ukura, bowed out of service, sent the name of Anthony Mkpe Ayine to the Senate for confirmation.

Ukura had on June 5, 2016, proceeded on terminal leave in accordance with civil service procedure.
Buhari, in a letter addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and read on the floor of the Senate, said Ayine’s appointment was in compliance with Section 86(1) of 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He urged the senators to treat the appointment with dispatch.

The letter read: “Section 86(1) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, states that the Auditor-General for the Federation shall be appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Federal Civil Service Commission subject to confirmation by the Senate.

“In line with this constitutional requirement, the Federal Civil Service Commission has recommended Ayine for appointment as the Auditor-General for the Federation. The curriculum vitae of Ayine is herewith attached.

“I have accepted this recommendation and hereby present the nomination of Ayine for confirmation by the Senate. While hoping that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished senators, please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards.”

According to the Order Paper, the Senate will also consider the screening of members of the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) while it will continue with the clause-by-clause consideration of amendment to Electoral Act on Thursday.