Bauchi Assembly confirms Makama as SIEC chairman

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Bauchi House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Ahmed Makama as Chairman of Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
The assembly also confirmed the appointment of its former Speaker, Right Honourable Bappa Haruna Disina as Chairman of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Service Commission.
The confirmations as well as those of Alhaji Abdu Babayo Jalam and Dr Dauda Abdullahi as Permanent Commissioners, Bauchi State Civil Service Commission followed a message sent by the governor requesting for their screening and confirmation of the appointees.
The governor’s messages were presented to the House during plenary by Majority Leader, Hon Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu, who subsequently moved that since the nominees are very important personalities who have meritoriously served both the state and the nation, they should be confirmed by the House.
This was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, said that Disina had served as Speaker of the House and thus was very much qualified for the job, adding that Makama having served as INEC REC in various states was eminently qualified to serve as chairman of the state electoral umpire.
In his reaction, the Speaker, Rt Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman, said the nominees were veterans in their respective areas of assignment and therefore were qualified for the respective appointments.
The speaker added that since the other two nominees as permanent commissioners in the state civil service commission are for reappointment, which is a testament of their good record and performance.
Members subsequently approved and confirmed the nominees for their respective appointments.