The Senate, Wednesday directed its committee on Youth and sports to investigate the alleged illegal appointment of a new Director-General for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
It was also said that the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai unilaterally made the alleged unconstitutional but controversial appointment.
This development was sequel to an adopted order 42 and 52 Senate rule moved by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.
Melaye in presenting his motion said it was unconstitutional for Buratai to have made the said appointment as it was in breach of the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended.
In his words, “I’m bringing to the notice of the Senate an infringement in the appointment of a new Director-General of NYSC.
“It was said that the Chief of Army Staff made a new appointment of NYSC Director-General in replacement of the former DG.
“This is unconstitutional as it is only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has the right as provided by the constitution to do so.
“The NYSC act section 5 reads, “There shall be a Director-General for the National Youth Service Corps to be appointed by the President.
“But Buratai through a signal removed and appointed a new NYSC DG.
“We should not allow this, Mr. President. Otherwise, We should not be surprised to wake up one morning to hear that DG, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has been removed and appointed a new Senate President”.
However, Senator Bassey Akpan seconded the motion while it was put to a voice vote by Senate President, Bukola Saraki that resulted in the unanimous resolution to refer the matter to its committee to investigate and report back next week Wednesday for further legislative action.
