Bako Abdullahi, Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has handed over to Musa Usman Abubakar, Secretary of the commission, as the Senate delays the confirmation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee.

The Senate had vowed not to confirm any appointment by Buhari until the President removes Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman of Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The Senate rejected the nomination of Magu twice but Buhari has refused to replace him.

The stalemate between the executive and the senate has affected the ICPC, with Bolaji Owasanoye, a Professor of Law who was nominated Chairman, still awaiting confirmation from the Senate since August 2017.

In a statement on Thursday, Rasheedat Okoduwa, spokesperson of the commission, said the Secretary of the commission would now act as Chairman until Owasanoye’s appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

“In a brief ceremony, which was witnessed by the heads of departments and other senior management staff, the former acting Chairman of the Commission and two-term board member, Alh. Bako Abdullahi, said he was handing over to the Secretary as his tenure as a member had come to an end,” the statement said.

Abdullahi took over from the former Chairman, Ekpo Nta in September last year.

He commended the management and staff of the commission for supporting him, and urged them to extend the same level of support to the new Secretary.

The former Acting Chairman advised ICPC staff to intensify efforts in eradicating corruption in Nigeria.

He challenged the staff not to let the recent Transparency International’s rating of the country dampen their enthusiasm, rather to see it as a shot in the arm for a renewed drive by the commission to combat the evil that corruption represents.

In his response after receiving the handover documents, the Secretary praised Abdullahi  for running a strategic organisation like ICPC.

He solicited the cooperation of staff to succeed in carrying the heavy burden being placed on his shoulders, and promised to put in his best in order to make the Commission better in all ramifications.