‘I didn’t reject President’s appointment,’ Akinwande says

monjola sotubo

October 28, 2016 11:52 AM

Buhari nominated Akinwande to serve as the Chairman of the NERC but he didn't show up for his screening at the Senate.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Professor Akintunde Akinwande has denied reports that he

Buhari nominated Akinwande to serve as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) but he failed to show up for his screening at the Senate.

He explained his absence via a letter sent to the Senate adding that he has a great deal of respect for Buhari.

His statement reads:

“News reports in Nigeria that I have rejected President Buhari's nomination to be Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission have been brought to my attention. I have the greatest respect for President Buhari.”

“I am fully behind the change he has brought and is bringing to the way Government business is conducted in Nigeria. I am deeply honored that Mr. President and his team thought me worthy for this important national assignment and sought me out for it.

“I am a tenured professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As such I am contractually constrained to seek formally the consent of the university for a leave of absence before presenting myself to the Senate for screening and if confirmed take on the assignment.”

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Akinwande also said that he would honour the Senate’s invitation when he gets permission from his current employer.

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