The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates, COPA has urged the Senate to set a parameter, or criteria, for confirmation and rejection of ministerial nominees and others sent to it by the President, to ensure transparency.
The Convener and leader of the coalition Pelumi Olajengbesi, who made the call in a statement in Abuja, said such criteria would guide the process and ensure fairness and patriotism during screening rather than the “take a bow” method granted to most of the nominees in the just-concluded exercise.
According to the COPA leader, it is the duty of the Legislature to constantly monitor the activities of the Executive to guarantee visionary leadership. This, he said, should start from the appointment of credible ministers.
He
expressed the fear that the 9th National Assembly could become
a rubber stamp Assembly if it continued to sacrifice competence and
transparency on the altar of “take a bow and go”.
