ISSUES IN THE NIGERIAN SENATE’S CONFIRMATION OF PRESIDENTIAL APPONTMENTS: THE CASE OF THE EFCC CHAIRMAN

Abstract

Under   the   Nigerian   constitutional   democracy,   the   Constitution   and certain   legislations   require   that   some appointments  made  by  the  President  at  the  Federal  level  be  confirmed  by  the  Senate  while  some  made  by  the Governors  at  the  state  level  be  confirmed  by  the  respective  Houses  of  Assembly.  Confirmation  by  the  Senate  of appointments  made  by  the  President  has  happened  and  religiously  observed  with  regards  to  the  EFCC  chairmen appointments since its inception in 2003 till 2015 when this became an issue between the President and the Senate. The  issue  in  question  is  as  to  whether  this  is  a  mandatory  constitutional  requirement  or  a  mere  conventional practice? This work unravels this issue using the doctrinal method by reviewing relevant laws and literatures. Upon providing the rationale for legislative  confirmation of Presidential appointments, examining the possible  sanctions for want of confirmation where constitutionally required and considering the option of litigation in the circumstance of the present stalemate being experienced over the EFCC chairmanship non-confirmation by the Senate, the work draws it conclusion and offers some recommendations.