President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday suspended the swearing-in of new Board Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Francis Ugochukwu Elechi, until the 'disturbing calls and reports' which he received over the nomination of Elechi have been resolved.The president, however, directed a member of the board, Mr. Ekpo Una Owo Nta, to act as the commission's chairman until all the issues were resolved.Speaking after Nta and four other new members of the ICPC board took their oaths of office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan told the members that the swearing-in of Elechi, whose nomination as ICPC Chairman was confirmed by the Senate had to be put on hold for now.Other members of the board are: Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero, Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami, Prof. Olu Aina and Dame Julie Onum-Nwariaku.Jonathan said: 'The chairman couldn't follow the oath taking because from about Wednesday last week, I started receiving disturbing calls and reports and for a body like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the president should be very careful about the opinion of people.'A minister can come in and go the next day, but INEC, EFCC and ICPC cannot be gambled with and that is why when we were to inaugurate the board of INEC, the same thing happened; there were protests that there were some PDP members. To make sure that people had a proper perception of INEC and to make sure that the perception is correct, we dropped those people. I am not saying we are going to drop the chairman.'We are going to look into the reports we have received because we do not want to do anything that will bring a stain to a sensitive organization like the ICPC no matter how painful that may be to anybody.'So, the chairman is not taking his oath of office today (yesterday), the Secretary to Government of the Federation will formally write a letter, but Ekpo will act until we sort out the issue of the chairman.'Jonathan said henceforth, care would be taken to ensure that only the most appropriate individuals were appointed to positions of influence and authority in the country's anti-corruption agencies. 'Until the monster called corruption is dealt with, we will not assume our rightful place in the comity of nations.'He told the board members that both 'ICPC and INEC are sensitive bodies and members will not only be watched by Nigerians but by the whole international community.'He also recalled how the world express concern over corruption in Nigeria and urged members to collaborate with the EFCC in the prosecution of the anti-corruption war.Responding, Nta assured the president that they would do their best to justify the mandate given to themAlso yesterday, Jonathan swore in Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as a National Commissioner of INEC and called on him to support INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to conduct future elections better than the April 2011 general elections.The president also inaugurated a Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform headed by Prof. Peter Adeniyi. Its other members are Mohammed Yahaya,Prof. Yakubu Fabiyi, John Balami, Isah Ichaba, Valentine Ofogba and Gloria Nwofor.
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