The hope of Aisha Umar, Acting Director General of National Pension Commission (PENCOM) of becoming the substantive director general has caused a division among some senators.
The members at the red chamber on Tuesday vehemently protested the nomination as soon as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read Buhari’s letter, seeking Umar’s confirmation as the substantive DG of the agency.
The letter also named Oyindasola Oni as Chairman on the agency. Six nominees for appointment as chairman, Director General and Executive Commissioners of National Pension Commission. Others nominated as commissioners are Hannatu Musa (North-West); Clement Akintola (South-West); Ayim Nyerere (South-East) and Charles Emukowhale (South-South).
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved senators, the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, declared that Umar, from the North-East should not have replaced, the former DG, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, who is from the South-East.
Abaribe said Buhari’s action was a flagrant breach of the Act that established the PenCom. Section 20(1) and section 21(1) and (2) of the National Pension Commission Act 2014, states, “In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint replacement from the geopolitical zone of the immediate past member that vacated office to complete the remaining tenure.”
