The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs suspended its planned investigative hearing with the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday due to the absence of its national chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The Committee, chaired by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East), also postponed the hearing involving the Police Service Commission over unresolved discrepancies.
This was disclosed in a statement signed and released by Onyesoh’s Special Adviser on Publicity and Communications, Peter Oriri.
The Committee, in a stern warning, described Yakubu’s non-appearance as a ‘blatant disregard for the authority of the Nigerian Senate’ and an affront to a critical national engagement aimed at uncovering deep-rooted inequalities in job placements, federal appointments, and infrastructure development across the country.
All heads of agencies are expected to appear in person,” Senator Onyesoh declared.
“We will not accept proxies or representatives on matters as crucial as this. The INEC Chairman must respect this institution and the Nigerian people.”
INEC was represented at the hearing by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
However, her presence did not satisfy the Committee, which unanimously decided to adjourn the hearing until 2 p.m. tomorrow, with a clear mandate that Professor Yakubu must appear.
The investigation focuses on allegations of skewed distributions and marginalization in INEC’s operations, a matter the Senate Committee considers vital to equity and national unity.
The hearing also took up issues with the Police Service Commission (PSC), whose delegation was led by its Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General Hashimu Argungu.
Argungu admitted to discrepancies in the commission’s records in his submission and requested a three-week extension to reorganize and present a comprehensive report.
In a firm but diplomatic response, the Committee granted the extension but emphasized accountability.
Senator Onyesoh directed the Commission to come back with exhaustive documentation, including lists of officers who are still in service due for retirement and those who received accelerated promotions without adherence to due process.
Adding to the scrutiny, the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Diket Plang, called for a detailed breakdown of police personnel distribution from local governments to states and geopolitical zones.