Confusion in Senate over Keyamo’s ministerial screening

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate was hit by controversy over the screening of Festus Keyamo, a ministerial nominee.
The confusion led the Chamber to dissolve into executive session after the Senate leader, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi moved the motion.
Before the pandemonium, the nominee was asked to address the Chamber to explain his profile and give reasons why he should be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
After his address, Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Labour Party) representing Abia Central Senatorial District raised a point of Order.
He drew the attention of the Senate to some infractions by the Ministerial nominee against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when he was the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity.
The Lawmaker explained how the nominee blocked the Reps Committee from carrying out its oversight function on the sum of N52 billion released to his Ministry.
Having explained this, he moved that the screening of Keyamo be stepped down in line with parliamentary rules.
The motion was seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Amid the uproar, Senate President adopted a motion that the Chamber be dissolved into executive session and ordered that the nominee be taken out of the Chamber by the Sergent-At-Arms.
However after a visit by Akpabío to the presidential villa, Keyamo was eventually confirmed and allowed to take leave of the Senate.
But he explained his side of the story and apologized to the Senate for whatever infractions he may have committed while serving as a minister during ex President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.