MAGU: Buhari should resign — George

President Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday July 7th, suspended Ibrahim Magu, who has been acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), since he replaced Ibrahim Lamorde, on November 9th, 2015.

Prior to his suspension, Mr Magu has been serving in acting capacity at the anti-graft agency for the past five years of the Buhari administration, after failing to gain the approval of the 8th Senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki.


Explaining its refusal to confirm Magu as Chairman or EFCC, Saraki said Magu’s appointment would have been confirmed, but for the failure of the Presidency to explore the established channel of lobby.

He said: “When the executive makes an appointment, there is an issue of lobby; this is why we want a particular nominee. It is done even in America.”

He noted that the options are that the President can lobby the legislature or present someone else at the event of rejection of a nominee, but the president insisted on Magu despite being rejected twice.



“The truth really is that the issue of confirmation, whether ministerial or other appointments, is done by the entire Senate. Generally, we have an unwritten practice that we would get the input of senators from the state where the appointee hails from before we start the screening process in the Senate. By the powers of the Senate if such nominee is rejected, then it is upon the executive to find a new replacement. The issue really is that the Senate has the powers to reject ministerial nominees," Saraki said.

He continued, “In the case of the appointment of the chairman of the EFCC, the powers of the Senate are very clear in the constitution. For any nominee, we are guided by the constitution. It is an appointment made by Mr. President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, which means the Senate has the powers to either say yes or no.




"In a situation where the Senate rejects, it is up to the executive at that time to send in a replacement or in some cases, when we have appointment rejected and the executive will re-present before the Senate, but if the senators again take a decision to reject the nominee, the appointment stands rejected.”

While views on Magu's suspension continues to differ, Nigerians are wary of the antics of the Buhari administration whom they claim always look for a scapegoat to cover up its atrocious government.


Some felt if at all Magu is found guilty of the charges against him, then the president who despite having the option to replace Magu following his rejection by the Senate, but kept him in acting capacity for the past 5 years, should also step aside as well.

Some reactions culled from our Facebook pages on Critical Times News and Critical Voices, can be found below:

Danje Ronald said, "The likes of Saraki knew what they were doing when the refused to approve his appointment. Buhari was adamant, now Saraki and co have been vindicated. A saint has now become a sinner! The hunter has become the hunted. What an irony! Corrupt govt kawai!"



Joseph Nnorom said, "Reactionary action, we got to be proactive in this country. Many calls in the past to change this man, why should he be suspended now. Leave him in the office for he is a saint. Saint Magu indeed."

Emmanuel Henry said, "Am sure the president is not aware of Magu's suspension, as we all know the president is never aware of anything."

Sabastine Obinna said, "How suddenly did the hunter became the hunted? Magu made so much noise when the presidency and apc were using him to fight their perceive political opponents. Now he has been used and dumped. And if care is not taken, he will go in for it. Magu was used for so much lies and propaganda against the pdp, thereby discrediting the most popular political party in Africa."


Emmanuel George said, "In better organized climes Buhari himself should firstly have stepped aside until Magu comes out clean. Buhari foisted Magu on Nigerians, after he was unanimously rejected on the basis of his track records of doubtfully questionable integrity."

Eugene Eziefule said, "President Buhari has done more harm than good to this country. Parliament rejected this man yet Mr Buhari called the bluff of parliament and retained him. Today ,see the embarrassment Magu has caused us as a nation."



Following call by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Magu for alleged infractions, including recovered loot mishandling, insubordination and other sundry allegations, a pro-North organisation – Kanuri Collective Agenda (KCA), said Magu is being targeted because of his ethnicity, and accused Malami of dragging Magu’s reputation in the mud.


The group in a statement by its spokesman Malam Waziri Ibrahim, told Buhari that Malami’s allegation will make mockery of the administration’s anti-corruption war and expose his administration to ridicule.