The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday became rowdy during the screening of one of the ministerial nominees, Nasir El-Rufai, when Senator Sunday Karimi submitted a petition against the nominee.
In his brief remarks Karimi drew the attention of members to the petition which he said bothered on security, coerciveness and unity.
TRK-UP-Sen. Sunday Karimi-Kogi West
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who was presiding, received the documents from the lawmaker, but when the Senate President Godswill Akpabio returned to his seat, he cautioned that such matters bother on security and therefore should not be considered by the Senate.
In his question to the nominee, Senator Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara Central had asked El Rufai three questions concerning the power sector, while Senators Danjuma Goje and Sani Musa said the former Kaduna governor should be asked to take a bow and go.
TRK-UP-Sen. Abdulaziz Yari-Zamfara Centra
Senators Goje and Musa argued that if the former governors Nyesom Wike and Abubakar Badaru were asked to bow and go during screening on Monday, El Rufai should equally enjoy the same courtesy.
TRK-UP-Sen. Danjuma Goje-Gombe Central
TRK-UP-Sen. Sani Musa-Niger East
But their argument did not stand as the former governor chose to respond to some of the questions asked.
TRK-UP-Nasir El-Rufai-Ministerial Nominees, Former Governor Kaduna State
In his ruling President of the Senate GodsWill Akpabio, who refused to take the petition, said a number of petitions were submitted against a number of the ministerial nominees.
TRK-UP-Sen. GodsWill Akpabio-Senate President
In a similar development, Wale Edun, a ministerial nominee from Ogun state, spoke on his performance in Lagos, he stated that the deployment of technology was done ruthlessly.
Mr Edun noted that the GDP per capita of Nigeria in 1990 was higher than China but now Nigeria has declined significantly. He noted that the decline could be traced to reckless spending and lack of production.
He said the Nigerian economy has experienced tremendous growth in the past two months as he asked the senators to ask their governors about the fiscal changes.
TRK-UP- Wale Edun-Ministerial Nominee From Ogun State
As at the time of filing this report screening of other nominees are still on going, including, ex-governor Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); presidential spokesman, Dele Alake; Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi; Musa Dangiwa, Uche Nnaji, Stella Okotete, Adebayo Adelabu, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa who are on the list of the senate order paper.
