President Goodluck Jonathan has written the Senate, requesting it to confirm his nominee to replace Chief Festus Odimegwu, who resigned last October, as the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).
Jonathan’s request was contained in a letter dated November 27, 2013 and addressed to Senate President, David Mark.
The letter, entitled: “Request for confirmation of chairman and members of the National Population Commission,” was received by the Office of the Senate President on Monday.
The president wanted the upper legislative body to confirm Chief Eze Duruiheoma as a replacement for Odimegwu who resigned his appointment following his controversial utterances over the 2006 population figure.
“The National Population Commission is one of the federal executive bodies established under Section 153 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“By the provision of Part I (J) of the Third Schedule of the constitution, the commission shall comprise a chairman and one person from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
“In this connection, the slots for the chairman and members representing the FCT, Katsina and Ekiti states on the commission are currently vacant.
“I have, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, decided to appoint Chief Eze Duruiheoma, Aliyu Daniel Kwali (FCT), Alhaji Bala Almu Banye (Katsina) and Adebola Adetunmbi (Ekiti) as chairman and members of the National Population Commission.
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution which states that the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate, I hereby present the above-mentioned nominees for the kind consideration of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter read.
Source: Tribune
