Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu is demanding the withdrawal of the nomination of deputy minister-designate for agriculture, George Oduro.
According to him, there is a damning report by the Bureau of National Investigation on the nominee, making him ineligible to serve as minister.
Joy News’ Joseph Opoku Gakpo is in Parliament and has reported that the Minority Leader wants the name of George Oduro, who is expected to be vetted Thursday, April 6, 2017, removed from the list of nominees.
Mr Iddrisu in his remarks on the Floor of Prliament said “in respect of the nominees I am compelled to request that the president should consider withdrawing the nomination of one of the appointees named George Oduro because there is a damning BNI report on him.”
The Minority Leader who is leading his side to boycott the ongoing deputy ministerial vetting said they have insisted on postponing the vetting to allow for proper background checks to be conducted on the nominees.
But before Mr Iddrisu could finish the submission, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu disagreed with him.
He said it was inappropriate for the Minority Leader to bring up the issue because the House was assessing a report on nominees who have already been vetted.
“The person whose issue the Minority Leader is raising is not part of this report, so Mr Speaker, I am surprised that he is talking about it.
“On the issue of relevance, the person is not being considered because he has not gone before the appointment committee. If it comes to considering the person and you raise it, yes, but it is not part of this.”
But Mr Iddrisu disagreed. He insisted that the issue was still relevant. However, the Speaker, Prof Mike Ocquaye agreed with the Majority Leader.
He said “we will restrict ourselves to the report. We have a clear number of ministers, their names before us and we will speak to approving the report on them. And that is what we shall do.”
He ordered the Minority Leader to continue but not with George Oduro’s issue. Meanwhile, the Hosue has approved the nomination of 17 deputy ministers, including Deputy Communications minister-designate George Andah and Deputy Roads and Highways minister-designate, Anthony Karbo.
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