Why Senate stepped down Keyamo’s screening as ministerial nominee

The Nigerian Senate on Monday afternoon, August 7, 2023 dissolved into chaos mid-way into the screening of Festus Keyamo, SAN, the last nominee of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appear before the upper chamber.

Problem started when after Keyamo’s presentation, Senator Darlington Nwokocha moved a motion that he be stepped down having refused to appear before the 9th National Assembly to answer questions regarding his activities as then Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

The motion was seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, following which Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the question to the senators but tension flared up as several senators started talking at the same time.

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Darlington Nwokocha, representing Abia central, moved the motion on Monday when Keyamo appeared before the lawmakers.

The lawmaker said Keyamo ignored the summoning of parliament in 2022 over the employment scheme of 774,000 Nigerians recruited for the special public works programme.

Keyamo was minister of labour and employment in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He had accused the lawmakers of attempts to blackmail him.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia south, supported Nwokocha’s motion to step down Keyamo’s screening.

When Godswill Akpabio, senate president, put the issue to a voice vote, the ‘nays’ were just as loud as the ‘ayes’ as a rancorous session ensued.

The senate has dissolved into a closed session to resolve the issue, with the media asked to leave the gallery.