New leader for Nigerian senate

MPs are accused of flagrant corruption

Leaders of the ruling party in Nigeria have chosen Pius Anyim, a political newcomer, to replace the Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, after he was accused of corruption.

The announcement was made by People's Democratic Party Chairman Barnabas Gemade who described him as a compromise candidate.

The party also nominated senator Ibrahim Mantu as Mr Anyim's deputy.

On Tuesday, the Senate impeached Mr Okadigbo, after he refused to step down voluntarily despite being named in an official report on corruption.

His impeachment followed the resignations of deputy senate president Haruna Abubakar, and the parliamentary majority leader Samaila Mamman who were also accused of corruption.

Mr Anyim, who has never held a major political office, will be presented to the full Senate on Thursday and his endorsement is expected to be a formality.

A senior politician says the Senate appears to be prepared to make a frontal attack on corruption.

"If we don't do it, the military may be tempted to do it for us," he told Reuters news agency.

The military has ruled in Nigeria for all but 11 years since its independence from Britain in 1960 and is blamed for fostering a climate of corruption.

President Olusegun Obasanjo was elected last year pledging to crack down on corruption.

'Gross abuses'

Last week's report called on the Senate leadership to resign and said they should be investigated by the police.

Accusations against Senate President

Bought another eight official cars for $290,000 bringing his total of official vehicles to 32

Spent $225,000 on garden furniture for his luxury government house

Spent $340,000 furnishing the home to his taste, $120,000 over the authorised budget

The unauthorised purchased a massive generating and inflated the price to $135,000

Accepted a secret payment of $208,000 from public funds

It accused the Senate leadership of gross abuses of power, flagrant disregard of rules and personal enrichment.

"All these lapses constitute an abuse of office and a serious indictment of the Senate president for which he cannot avoid personal liability," the report said.

Nigeria's largest trade union had threatened industrial action if those mentioned in the report did not resign.

Scandals

Nigeria's National Assembly has been hit by a series of scandals ever since the country returned to democratic rule in May.

In November last year the former Senate president, Evan Enwerem, was impeached following months of allegations and rumours that he had lied about his age and academic qualifications.

In July last year the then Lower House Speaker, Salisu Buhari, stood down when he admitted having lied about his qualifications.