As expected, the Presidency has mounted cutting edge lobby to win over the Senate and get the Senators confirm the rejected Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
Aside surreptitious visits to key senators by a hand-picked group of Presidential aides and henchmen, President Muhammadu Buhari himself has commenced his own lobby of the leadership of the Senate to get them to make a u-turn on the no confirmation resolution earlier reached on the EFCC top cat who has remained in acting capacity since his appointment by the President.
President Buhari on Tuesday met with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Presidential Villa, barely 24 hours after the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume also met with the president after which he recanted the senate’s rejection of the nomination of Magu.
Ndume shortly after his meeting with President Buhari switched to another hymn this time jettisoning the earlier tough position of the senate that Magu was not to be confirmed because of inclement security reports at the disposal of the upper chamber.
He told State House Correspondents after the meeting with President Buhari that the Senate never at any time rejected the nomination of Magu. Ndume also stated that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Lawal David Babachir who the Senate had earlier recommended for sack due to his role in the management of welfare funds for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the north east may not escape the big stick of the Senate.
The meeting between Buhari and Saraki was behind closed door but Aso Rock insiders said it was related to the case of Magu whom the President still believes was the right man for the job.
