Senate confirms Amaechi, 17 others amidst protests by PDP senators

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and 17 others as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amaechi's confirmation however came amidst protests by senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who staged a walkout to register their displeasure.

Those confirmed by the Senate on Thursday are Adebayo Shittu, Kadjiat Abba Ibrahim, Heineken Lokpobiri, Claidius Omoyele Daramola, Baba Shehuri Mustapha, James Ocholi, Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, Bawa Bwari, Geoffrey Onyeama and Zainab Ahmed.

Others include Masur Mohammed Danladi, Usani Uguru, Okechukwu Elemanah, Anthony Anwuka, Mohammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar.

The Senate also approved the nomination of the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and all five INEC commissioners presented to it.

Prof. Yakubu in his response to series of questions said he would not be intimidated in the discharge of his duties. 

“There is going to be a difference in the next general election.” he assured, adding that “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.

“You can never expect perfection over night.” he continued. “By this time next year, I’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.

“The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early. We need to strengthen our institutions, I am on a consolidation mission... I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification." 

According to him, "We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.

"We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System" the confirmed INEC chairman further assured.