Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Festus Keyamo
Senate screens Keyamo after he apologised for snubbing 9th NASS
The Senate has resumed the screening of Festus Keyamo after the former minister tendered an apology to the 9th National Assembly.
The Senate witnessed a rowdy session over the screening of Keyamo, a Minister of State for Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, who appeared before the red chamber to be screened for a new position under President Bola Tinubu.
However, events turned sour when Darlington Nwokocha ( LP, Abia Central), moved the motion requesting the suspension of the nominee’s screening.
The lawmaker said Keyamo ignored the summon of the parliament in 2020 over the employment scheme of 774,000 Nigerians recruited for the special public works programme.
He had accused the lawmakers of attempts to blackmail him.
Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia south, seconded Nwokocha’s motion to step down Keyamo’s screening.
Following the uproar that the motion generated, the Senate dissolved into a closed session to resolve the issue.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently visited Aso Rock villa to meet with President Bola Tinubu.
At the resumption of the screening, Keyamo apologised to the senators.
He said the “issue” was resolved because he subsequently appeared before the Senate Committees after the “incident”.
Ali Ndume, Chief Chip of the Senate, moved a motion that Keyamo’s apology be accepted.
The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Akpabio.
There were no questions posed to Keyamo by the senators after he apologised and was then asked to “take a leave”.
“The apology is without reservation. I apologise,” he said.
With the screening of Keyamo, the Senate has concluded the screening of the 48 ministerial nominees.
Senate President is expected to announce the next course of action to be taken by the upper legislative chamber on the nominees.
