In reaction to Magu's rejection by the Senate, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption Chairman, has said that President Buhari would continue to appoint Magu to lead the EFCC, whether the Senate likes it or not.
Itse Sagay
While speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nation, Itse Sagay, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, claimed that the Senate refused to confirm Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because he is 'too good.'
Recall that members of the Senate had on Wednesday, turned down the request by the president to confirm Magu as the EFCC boss, following a report by the Department of State Services (DSS), which said the EFCC acting chairman failed an integrity test.
In a swift reaction to the development, Sagay said that the senators feel threatened by Magu’s commitment to the job, hence their second rejection of his nomination, adding that Magu is a “man of integrity” who is “just too good for the job”.
“They know that Magu has been outstanding in the fight against corruption, and that his achievements have simply been extremely praiseworthy. He’s been consistent; he’s committed. He’s a man of high integrity and his productivity has been high.
“The only reason they will refuse to confirm him is that they decided to be perverse on this occasion for reasons best known to them. Probably it’s known to everybody.
“Maybe it’s because he’s just too good for the job, and a lot of people are uncomfortable with people like that who are committed and determined to root out corruption from the country. That’s what it is,” he said.
Sagay also noted that President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to appoint Magu to lead the EFCC, even if the Senate refused to confirm him.
“They have done their own part of the job – very good. They don’t appoint, they merely confirm. So, the ‘appointor’ will continue to appoint,” he added.