The Federal Executive Council (FEC) says it cannot defend remarks attributed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo regarding the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Senate.

In April, Osinbajo had agreed with Femi Falana, a senior lawyer, who questioned the propriety of sending Magu’s name to the senate for confirmation in the first place.

“I agree with Mr Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the Senate,” he had said at the time.

But on Tuesday, the Senate expressed misgivings over Osinbajo’s statements and resolved not to consider any other nominee sent in by the executive until Magu, who was twice rejected by the lawmakers, leaves office.

Fielding questions from state house correspondents after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, said the body could not defend the Vice President’s comments because the decision was not taken by the council.

“Although the issue came up for discussion at the cabinet meeting, since the cabinet was not particularly connected or reached a consensus to maintain a particular position, it cannot begin to defend what it did not decide on.

“The fundamental consideration about the alleged statement is the fact that at no point ever did the federal executive council sit down to arrive at the decision in one way or the other as far as the issue of nomination or otherwise is concerned.

“So, I do not think it constitutes an issue for the federal executive council to make any clarification about because it has never been considered by the FEC.”

However, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, said there was no cause for alarm as the situation was under control. “We have mechanisms in place to handle such situations,” he said.

Similarly, Garba Shehu, spokesman to President, assured Nigerians that all is well and there was no face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government.

“From the time the Vice President gave that opinion to now, more than 20 nominations have been forwarded to the Senate and quite a number of them have been screened, sworn in and are now occupying positions. Therefore; this is not a big issue as some people want to make it,” Shehu said.

“The party, government and the National Assembly will sit on a round table and this matter will be discussed and resolved, I assure you.”