Senators were Monday divided over the screening of a ministerial nominee, Festus Keyamo when it was time for question-and-answer session put by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
A Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Darlington Nwokocha, on Monday, had accused Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who was a former Minister of State for Labour and Productivity under the then administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari for rejecting invitations by the National Assembly.
He noted that he was invited by the House of Representatives and Senate to answer questions on how he managed N52 billion meant for Public Works in the 774 local government areas in the country.
According to him, he rebuffed the invitations by the National Assemblymen who were doing their oversight function.
After citing the order, he, therefore, moved a motion for the suspension of the ministerial screening of a ministerial nominee from Delta State, Festus Keyamo.
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, Akpabio rose to his feet, announcing that the Senate will enter a closed session.
Nwokocha had accused Keyamo of disrespecting the 9th National Assembly and accusing the last Assembly of being corrupt.
Owing to the rowdiness of the Senate, Akpabio stood up and read an order that authorised the Senators to sit to avoid penalty.
Senator Michael Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti state and who is also the Majority Leader moved a motion for executive or closed door meeting.
Akpabio put it into motion and House accepted it and the Senate dissolved into Executive session and the pressmen were ordered to leave the Chamber.
Earlier, Keyamo had said he had given up hope to serve in the Federal Executive Council of the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration until he was nominated by President Bola Tinubu last Friday.
Keyamo said he and his family had parked luggage about to travel out of the country until the appointment was announced and he backed down.
He thanked Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet.
