The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to sack the Executive Vice- Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukere.
The decision was sequel to a motion by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
According to the FCCPC’ Act, the President needs the approval of the National Assembly to sack the Executive Vice-Chairma of the commission.
However, Tinubu had in January sacked Irukera, and the Director-General/CEO of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Alexander Okoh, with immediate effect.
Bamidele said, “The Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the removal of Chief Executive/Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer protection Commission (FCCPC) in accordance with Section 8(1)(bb) & (2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act, 2018.”
Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) observed that Irukera has yet to complete his term of office.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio however, made him understand that it was not the duty of the Senate to question the president’s nomination, but to either approve it or reject it.
Akpabio then put the question for those who either supported or rejected the removal of Irukera as CE/VC, FCCPC and majority of the lawmakers, through voice vote, supported his removal.
After comments from lawmakers, Akpabio described the president as the boss who has the power to hire and fire
Moreso, he said he was the one who could pass a vote of confidence in an appointee.
Akpabio said, “The President is the master and he has the power to judge the performance of his appointee. If the President’s appraisal says his appointee hasn’t been efficient, then we have to support him on it.“
He thereafter led lawmakers to a voice vote.
