NHRC: Senate Spokesman Kicks Against Buhari’s List

*Alleges lopsidedness

The list of nominees of members of Governing Council of the
National Human Rights Commission sent to the Senate by President
Muhammadu Buhari has courted disaffection of the Senator
representing Osun Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Media
and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru.

The Senate had last month received a formal request dated March
17, 2021, from President Muhammadu Buhari, to confirm the
nomination of Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as Chairman of the
National Human Rights Commission, along with other nominees.

According to President Buhari, the confirmation request was made
pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission
Act (as amended).

After reading the letter on the floor of the Senate, President
of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, mandated the Senate Committee on
Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, led by Senator
representing Ekiti Central, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele to screen the
nominees and present its report before the Red Chamber.

At the screening session, Senator Basiru said some states have
no representative on the Board.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bamidele, however, assured
his colleague that his observation would be looked into before the
Committee submits its report to the entire senate.

During the screening exercise, the Committee acknowledged the
outstanding performances of each nominee over the years and their
individual knowledge of human rights-related issues and the ability
to answer questions put before them.

Apart from Hussaini Suleiman, the designated Chairman of the
Board of NHRC, other screened nominees were Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba;
Amb. Umar Zainab Salisu; Mrs Dafe T. Adesida; Joseph Onyemaechi
Mmamel; Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla; Kemi Asiwaju-Okeyonda; Abubakar
Muhammed; and Femi Okoeowo.

Others were: Sunny Daniel; Barrister Agabaidu Chukwuemeka
Jideani; Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN; Azubuike Nwakwenta; Jamila
Isah; Mrs Idayat Omolara Hassan; and Prof. Anthony Ojukwu,
Executive Secretary of the Commission.

*Alleges lopsidedness

The list of nominees of members of Governing Council of the
National Human Rights Commission sent to the Senate by President
Muhammadu Buhari has courted disaffection of the Senator
representing Osun Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Media
and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru.

The Senate had last month received a formal request dated March
17, 2021, from President Muhammadu Buhari, to confirm the
nomination of Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as Chairman of the
National Human Rights Commission, along with other nominees.

According to President Buhari, the confirmation request was made
pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission
Act (as amended).

After reading the letter on the floor of the Senate, President
of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, mandated the Senate Committee on
Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, led by Senator
representing Ekiti Central, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele to screen the
nominees and present its report before the Red Chamber.

At the screening session, Senator Basiru said some states have
no representative on the Board.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bamidele, however, assured
his colleague that his observation would be looked into before the
Committee submits its report to the entire senate.

During the screening exercise, the Committee acknowledged the
outstanding performances of each nominee over the years and their
individual knowledge of human rights-related issues and the ability
to answer questions put before them.

Apart from Hussaini Suleiman, the designated Chairman of the
Board of NHRC, other screened nominees were Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba;
Amb. Umar Zainab Salisu; Mrs Dafe T. Adesida; Joseph Onyemaechi
Mmamel; Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla; Kemi Asiwaju-Okeyonda; Abubakar
Muhammed; and Femi Okoeowo.

Others were: Sunny Daniel; Barrister Agabaidu Chukwuemeka
Jideani; Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN; Azubuike Nwakwenta; Jamila
Isah; Mrs Idayat Omolara Hassan; and Prof. Anthony Ojukwu,
Executive Secretary of the Commission.