Muiz Banire, SAN, former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the John Oyegun led National Working Committee (NWC) has reacted to objection of his nomination by Senators from Lagos State.
The President had requested Banire’s confirmation in compliance with Section 10(1) of the AMCON Act 2010.
But the lawmakers on Tuesday asked the Senate not to confirm Muiz Banire (SAN) as Chairman, Governing Board of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The lawmakers behind the move are loyal to APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu.
In statement on Wednesday, Banire said except for the agitation of his teeming supporters and well-wishers, he would have kept mute and ignored the objection raised by the three Senators, Chief (Mrs) Remi Tinubu, Mr. Olamilekan Solomon, and Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos State on the floor of the Senate.
The statement he personally signed reads: “It is necessary to point out to interested/concerned members of the Nigerian citizenry that my nomination in the first place is not a quota appointment (as the three politicians and distinguished Senators may have wrongly perceived) requiring their special approval to deal with.
“I was nominated simply as a Nigerian in whom the appointer has a lot of confidence and who is prepared to give his all in service of his fatherland. In view of this, I urge all my well wishers to remain calm in the face of this provocation as I am optimistic that the proper thing will ultimately be done by the Senate as has been done in the past. They should please not engage them on any street contest.
“It would be recalled that similar objection did not succeed in preventing the confirmation of Olusegun Aganga, Babatunde Fashola, SAN and even Musiliu Obanikoro as Ministers, even when, unlike in my case, their Ministerial positions were Constitutionally mandated to be filling Lagos State quota representation in the Federal Executive Council.
“Beyond the above, let me also state clearly that I am blessed with so many alternative contact addresses and consequently, do not desperately need a political job to survive. It is those who are professional politicians and whose survival depends on such that can be so threatened. Here I am, a professional in politics.”
Banire, Convener of the United Action for Change (UAC) added: “Of course, if this is a continuation of the consistent harassment, intimidation and threat to gag my advocacy for good governance and the rule of law, the effect unfortunately is otherwise. It strengthens me further and makes me resolute in my crusade. I shall continue to interrogate and agitate issues of good governance and rule of law, regardless of whose ox is gored.
“I am already demonstrating through my activities and engagements in several other spheres that I do not need to occupy a public office to add value to our community and nation. My relevance does not lie in public office or wealth. It is not unexpected that we would continue to face this opposition in the struggle for the positive change. We are prepared for the struggle as long as God continues to spare our lives, which are constantly threatened by the sponsors of the opposition. Rule of law shall continue to be our guide.”
