Speaker, 4 others confirmed as Commissioners

dimeji akinloye

May 1, 2015 12:40 AM

The lawmakers refused to confirm Mark Okoye on the ground that he was below 30 years of age contrary to the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday , April 30, in Awka confirmed five out of six nominees by Governor Willie Obiano as commissioners.

Speaker of the House, Chinwe Nwebili, representing Ogbaru 11 constituency, made the list.

Others are Messrs Frank Ofor, Afam Mbanefo, Dr. Mary Nwogu and Amaka Ilobi.

However, the lawmakers refused to confirm Mark Okoye on the ground that he was below 30 years of age contrary to the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Some legislators insisted that he should be confirmed alongside others.

Representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency,Chugbo Enwezor, drew members’ attention to a section of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

According to him, the section stipulates that a person under 30 years cannot not be appointed into such office by the governor.

He argued that apart from being under-age, the nominee’s curriculum vita is not found in the documents presented to the House.

Another lawmaker, Ebele Obi, said it would be a disservice to the House if they confirmed Okoye.

Obi argued that if Okoye is confirmed, somebody could go to court and challenge his appointment thereby bringing the House into ridicule.

dimeji akinloye