Senate suspends Festus Keyamo’s ministerial screening

The Senate has been hit by controversy over the screening of Festus Keyamo, a ministerial nominee.

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.

Nwokocha’s motion was seconded by his colleague from Abia-South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio thereafter subjected the motion to a voice vote but the lawmakers were divided on the matter.

The red chamber immediately erupted into a rowdy session. Amid heated argument between the lawmakers, Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele called for a closed-door session.

The controversy has 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.