The confirmation of the appointment of five nominees as members of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) was stalled yesterday in the Senate as questions were raised on the legality of nominating two members from a state.

The nominees are Dr Mrs Ngozi Agatha Etolue (Anambra State), Hope Odhuluma Ikiriko (Rivers), Professor Aminu Diyo Sheidu (Kogi), Mr Emmanuel Chimezie Ihedioha (Abia) and Mr Joseph Olufemi Akande (Osun).

According to the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the screening of the nominees, Etolue is to represent Anambra/Ebonyi/Enugu cluster; Ikiriko, Bayelsa/Rivers/Delta; Sheidu, Kogi/Kwara; Ihedioha, Imo/Abia and Akande, Osun/Oyo.

Presenting the report on the floor of the Senate yesterday, the vice-chairman of the committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu (ACN, Ekiti), said the nominees were all found suitable, qualified and competent for the appointment.

But Senator Ita Enang (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East) said since the chairman of the commission, Mrs Joan Olatoyosi Ayo, is from Osun State, appointing another person, Akande, who is also from Osun State, would amount to allocating double slot to the state.

Citing the constitutional provision that the commission shall consist of a chairman and 15 members, Enang, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, argued that appointing two persons from the same cluster does not reflect the federal character principle.