JUST IN: Obanikoro Confirmed As Federal Minister Amid #Ekitigate Controversy

JUST IN: Obanikoro Confirmed As Federal Minister Amid #Ekitigate Controversy

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed Musiliu Obanikoro as a federal minister brushing aside allegations that Mr. Obanikoro played a key role in election fraud in state elections in Ekiti last year.

Mr. Obanikoro, who was nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan in January, was named recently in a leaked tape as a principal actor in the state’s governorship election rigging in 2014, sparking national outrage.

The Nigerian government has not investigated the claims.
READ: “I Am Here On Assignment By The President” And 14 Other Quotes From The Obanikoro Rigging Audio Tape

The Senate approved Mr. Obanikoro’s nomination as a minister Wednesday, after several postponements , despite protests from senators from Lagos, Mr. Obanikoro’s home state, and other members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, who had vowed to stop his nomination over the scandal that became known as Ekitigate.

As a former senator himself, the Senate allowed Mr. Obanikoro to “take a bow and go”, without answering questions, a privilege reserved for former federal lawmakers.

APC lawmakers protested by walking out of the session in protest.

UPDATE: Mr Obanikoro has taken to social media to celebrate his confirmation by Nigerian legislators.

And he also retweeted a congratulatory message by friend and Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose.

I want to use this medium to express my
profound gratitude to my distinguished
colleagues in the Senate for their kind
support. #MO

— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro)
March 11, 2015
I am particularly grateful to the President
of the Senate and other principal officers
representing the Senate majority and
minority. #MO

— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro)
March 11, 2015
Congratulations to @MObanikoro as he is
confirmed as a Minister of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria by the National
Assembly.
— Peter Ayodele Fayose
(@GovAyoFayose) March 11, 2015