Melaye, Goje Kick As Lawan Asks Amaechi To Take A Bow At Ministerial Screening

The Senate has commenced the screening of the 43 ministerial nominees which was sent on Tuesday, July 24, by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation.

The confirmation of the would-be ministers is the only item on the Senate Order Paper.

Recall that the president of the Senate Ahmad Lawan had on Tuesday said that the screening and confirmation of the nominees would begin on Wednesday, July 24.

He added that other legislative activities in the chamber would be suspended to ensure the speedy completion of the important assignment.

The screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees is according to Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

12:00 PM

Ministerial nominee: Uchechukwu Ogah from Abia state
The first nominee being screened is Uchechukwu Ogah from Abia state.

Ogah during his screening said that the nation does not need to depend on oil in creating job opportunities for the teeming population.

He stated that developing the agricultural sector will also increase the employment rate in the country.

“We don’t need to depend on only oil. Yes, oil is a cash-cow. But I believe that if we develop our agricultural sector, we can equally develop, create jobs for our teeming youths,” he said.

12:30 PM

•Ministerial nominee from Benue state: George Akume

George Akume was asked to take a bow and go as Senator Emmanuel Oker-Jev moved that the Senate tradition of bow and go for former senators be respected.

12:40 PM

Ministerial nominee from Imo state: Emeka Nwajiuba
Hon Emeka Nwajiuba, a member of the House of Representatives takes his turn for screening and confirmation. Nwajiuba will also be asked to take a bow and go.

13:20 PM

Senate goes on one hour break

The Senate suspended the screening process to go on a one-hour break which the Senate president said will enable them have lunch and prayers.

So far, four of the 43 nominees, Uchechuwku Ogah, George Akume, Godswill Akpabio and Emeka Nwajiuba have been screened.

14:13 PM

•Ministerial nominee from Akwa Ibom state: Godswill Akpabio

Senator Godswill Akpabio takes his turn for screening.

He was also asked to take a bow and go like Akume in the tradition of the Senate.

14:56 PM

•Ministerial screening resumes as Rotimi Amaechi appears before Senate

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi takes his turn for screening and confirmation. He has also been asked to take a bow and go being a former speaker of Rivers state House of Assembly.

Lawan said that the tradition of bow and go would be extended to former members of the House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, Danjuma Goje from Gombe state raised a point of order against the decision to not screen Amaechi. Senator Dino Melaye also opposed the Senate’s move not to screen Amaechi.

However, Lawan insisted that the tradition has to be followed since it has been applied to others in similar situation.

15:12 PM

•Ministerial nominee from Ebonyi state: Ogbonnaya Onu

Ogbonnaya Onu hails from Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi state. He was the first civilian governor of Abia state and the immediate past minister of science and technology.

Sam Egwu asks Onu about the ‘missing’ Nigerian satellite

He said: “$300 million was used in building the satellite and upon lunching, it got missing. Nigerians would want to know what has happened to that satellite.”

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