Date: 2016-11-20

A former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Yissa Benjamin, has accused the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, of being behind the disqualification of his nomination as a non-executive commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission by the Senate.

Speaking during a media briefing in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Saturday, Benjamin claimed that some of Saraki's loyalists had already told him that since his nomination was not from Saraki, he would be rejected by the Senate.

Benjamin also stressed that, despite being a professional nurse, a certified graduate of social policy and planning, and having been a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly for four years, he was experienced in public service and administration.

He said, "They said that Saraki would oppose my nomination because he did not nominate me. I was not disqualified because of experience, but because I am not in line politically with the Senate President."

However, Saraki's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the Senate President could not singlehandedly take a decision or override the decision of the Senate.

Olaniyonu said "No nominee will be rejected if the majority does not support his rejection. In any case, there was a reason given for the rejection of this particular nominee."