Nigeria Content Online

The former
vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Bashir Gwandu,
yesterday denied that he played any part in last week’s events which
led to the disbanding of the Senate Committee on Communications. Online
reports had alleged that Mr. Gwandu paid members of the committee,
including its chair, Sylvester Anyanwu, up to N230 million in bribes.
It alleged that he paid the monies in an effort to delay the
confirmation of the new NCC boss, Eugene Juwah. The committee was
dissolved last week Thursday following allegations of failing to adhere
to due process.

No award of contracts

In an interview
with NEXT, Mr. Gwandu however stated that he had never given money to
Mr. Anyanwu or any other member of the committee.

“I know Sylvester
very well, of course, and I have cooperated with the committee whenever
required,” he said. “But I have never given money to him or anybody to
influence anything. Where would I even get that kind of money from? The
biggest contract I have given is for my complimentary cards.”

The communications
commission has been at the centre of a huge power struggle since Ernest
Ndukwe retired some months ago. Following Mr. Ndukwe’s departure in
April, Stephen Bello was brought in as the acting executive vice
chairman but his tenure lasted only two months. It was alleged that Mr.
Gwandu blackmailed Mr. Bello over age clarifications effectively
forcing the government to appoint him as the acting NCC boss.

“I had no problems
with Mr. Ndukwe or Mr. Bello,” he said. “There are new public service
rules at the commission and these are quite clear especially in respect
to non-political appointees. Under these rules, Bello turned 60 last
year and therefore had to retire. I did not force anybody out.” In
spite of the delays to last week’s screenings, Mr. Juwah, a systems
engineer, was named as the new substantive head of the communications commission and is expected to resume work immediately.

Mr. Gwandu added that he is looking forward to working the new executive vice-chairman and welcoming him to the commission.

“We will need to work closely together to move the commission
forward. My main priority is helping us to achieve our targets and
there remains a lot of work to be done.”