Request of President Bola Tinubu for confirmation of Oluwole Adama as the Executive Director , Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) by the Senate was protested against by Senator Summaila Kawu ( NNPP Kano South) in Plenary Tuesday.
The President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio had at commencement of the plenary, read letter from President Tinubu requesting the Senate to confirm appointment of Oluwole Adama as new Executive Director of MDGIF in accordance with provisions of Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
But immediately after referring the request to Senate Committees on Gas and Petroleum ( Downstream), for consideration within a week , Senator Kawu raised a point of order to kick against the fresh appointment .
Kawu in kicking against Adama’s appointment , alleged that due process was not followed by the President.
He said: “My point of order is a Constitutional one which should be critically looked into as far as appointment of the Executive Director is concerned.
“If we can remember the last assembly, the 9th Assembly, passed Petroleum Industry Act which was one of the marvelous exercise of this legislative house.
“Under it, the communication sent by Mr President on the executive director, midstream and downstream gas fund, somebody from my constituency was appointed as executive director one which you mentioned.
“The appointment is in term of five years in accordance with the provisions of Section 34 of the PIA. This started in March 2022. It is the Senate who confirmed him.
“There are so many provisions in the act that if for any reason, he will be removed or replaced for any reason, there must be a process which the executive must follow but has not been followed .
“Therefore, I’m drawing the attention of the Senate to this , in line with relevant provisions of the PIA since it is the responsibility of the national assembly to respect its own laws”,
However , Akpabio in his ruling , told Senator Kawu that his point of order was noted but the committees already assigned to handle the presidential request, would look into his observations.
