Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has clarified that the Nigerian Senate is not responsible for screening ministerial or other nominees forwarded by the presidency for confirmation.

Ndume stated this while reacting to the controversy surrounding the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down earlier this week following allegations of certificate forgery.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Ndume explained that the Senate’s responsibility is limited to confirming nominees after relevant security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services, DSS, have completed their background checks.

“We are not screening, get this clear. Screening and confirmation are two different things. Before the president sends a candidate to the Senate, several processes are involved, including checks by the DSS. The DSS has to clear the person first,” he said.

The senator noted that issues of forged certificates were widespread across different sectors of the country, not just in politics.

“This issue of forgery is a big problem in Nigeria. It’s not just among politicians. Everyone has classmates, including Nnaji,” Ndume added.

He recalled that the Senate had in the past rejected a nominee after the DSS raised a red flag during its background check.

“Last time, the DSS brought a report against someone and we rejected the person. So don’t say we are not doing our job. We don’t do screening, we only confirm,” he said.

Ndume emphasised that the Senate relies solely on security reports before taking decisions on presidential nominees.

Certificate scandal: Senate not responsible for screening nominees — Ndume