The Nigerian Upper Chamber on Tuesday commenced  the process of confirmation of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for second term in office.

This followed the listing of the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of Emefiele as governor of CBN on the Order Paper.

Marked “Executive Communication” and listed against the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, it reads “Renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.

“That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with Section 8(1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”

Lawan moved that the request of the C-in-C be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, referred President Buhari’s request for the confirmation of Emefiele to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions for further legislative action.

A source said that the committee, chaired by Senator Rafui Adebayo Ibrahim, is expected to accord the screening of Emefiele accelerated consideration due to its urgency.

He said that Emefiele’s first term in office as CBN governor would expire on June 2, 2019.

Asked about the alleged “flood of petitions” trailing the reappointment of Emefiele, the source noted: “the petitions for whatever they are worth will be considered by the committee.

“It is the duty of the committee, apart from considering the request of Mr. President for the confirmation of the reappointment of the CBN governor as referred, to also look at whatever petitions against the nominee.

“If the committee fails to consider petitions against the nominee, any Senator has the right to raise the issue at the committee of the whole when the report of the committee will be considered.

“I will, however, tell you that it is not abnormal for petitions to be written against a nominee for appointment. It does not end at writing petitions.

“The appropriate committee will consider the merit or otherwise of such petitions. If a petition is found to be frivolous, the committee will make its recommendations accordingly.”

Saraki further  read President Buhari’s letter re-nominating Emefiele for second term as CBN governor.