A Jos-based Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Jacob Pwakim, has advised the Senate to subject political appointees to “more serious and challenging scrutiny”, while screening them.
Pwakim gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, faulting the ‘bow and go’ style adopted by the Upper Chamber in its ongoing screening of ministerial nominees.
According to Pwakim, subjecting appointees to serious screening, would avail Nigerians the opportunity to access the worth of those who would occupy public offices in the country.
He said the measure would also give them the opportunity to tell Nigerians how they intended to use their wealth of experience in supporting the President in moving the country forward.
“So, for the progress of our democracy and good of the nation, I wish to call on the senate, to be more serious and committed in screening whoever the president nominates for any public office, ” he said.
The analyst also advised the presidency to be attaching portfolios to nominees before forwarding their names to the senate for screening and confirmation, saying, that would ease the job of the lawmakers.
“Sending ministerial list with portfolios will give a direction on how to test the competencies of the nominees during screening exercise, ” he said.
He called on Nigerians “to put the incoming ministers on their toes”, to enable them to meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
