AMCON Appointment: I don’t need a political job to survive — Banire blasts senator
Former legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Muiz Banire, has said he does not need a political job to survive.
Banire, said this in reaction to the opposition of the three senators from Lagos State to his appointment as Chairman of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
President Muhammadu Buhari transmitted the name of Banire to the senate for confirmation.
At its sitting on Tuesday, Solomon Adeola, lawmaker representing Lagos West senatorial district, laid a petition signed by two other senators from the state against Banire’s nomination.
Adeola had said the letter emanated from their constituents.
But Banire said his nomination is not a quota appointment that requires special approval of the senators, adding that he was nominated as a Nigerian because the president has a lot of confidence in him.
He maintained that he does not need to occupy a public office to add value to his community and the nation.
“In the first place, let me recognize the constitutional right of the three senators to express their views without hindrance. It is part of the democratic tenets we all cherish and strive to protect at all times,” he said.
“Equally, because of the respect I have for the offices of the senators, I will not join issues with them, particularly when it has become traditional and conventional for them to be objectors on occasions such as this. All I can say is that I wish them well and remind them that no dynasty or empire lasts forever. Whatever has a beginning will have an end.
“However, it is necessary to point out to interested or 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.
“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 vowed not to be distracted, describing the action of the senators as an attempt to gag him.
