President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to swiftly confirm the removal of Babatunde Irukera, the chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The request was communicated in a letter read out by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
In addition to seeking confirmation for Irukera’s removal, Tinubu also urged the Senate to confirm the appointment of Oluwole Andama as the Executive Director of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund in the Nigerian Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Senate President Akpabio referred both requests to the Senate Committee of the Whole and the Senate Committee on Gas and Downstream for further consideration.
The Senate subsequently entered into an executive session to discuss urgent matters of national importance, with Senator Godswill Akpabio indicating that the discussions pertained to national security.
Tinubu’s request to the Senate comes three weeks after the removal of Babatunde Irukera as the FCCPC boss on January 8.
The President’s decision to relieve Irukera of his duties was explained by the presidency as part of a broader plan to restructure and reposition key agencies of the Federal Government to protect consumers’ rights and contribute more effectively to the nation’s economy.
The recent shake-up also involved the removal of Alexander Okoh, the Director-General/CEO of the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
The presidency directed the dismissed Chief Executives to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies until new appointments are made.
No specific reasons were provided for the dismissal of Babatunde Irukera and Alexander Okoh.
