The Senate finally screened former Rivers state Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, at resumption of plenary on Thursday.
Mr. Amaechi was screened alongside five other ministerial nominees listed on the Order Paper issued for the day.
In his introductory remarks, the former Governor said he was humbled to have been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as a minister if confirmed.
He also said it was a rare privilege to address the Senators whether or not he becomes Minister.
Mr. Amaechi highlighted few of the achievements recorded during his tenure as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and as Governor.
However, it was not a smooth sail for the embattled Amaechi as attempt by the Minority Leader, PDP Senator Godswil Akpabio and Majority Leader, APC’s Alli Ndume, to allow him ‘to take a bow and go’ was resisted by Senators who were aggrieved by the manner Senator Ndume presented it referring to them as “You People”.
Senator Akpabio had said on behalf of PDP Senators that they would not have any question for the nominee.
To settle the uproar caused by Ndume’s presentation, Senate president Bukola Saraki, apologized on behalf of the Majority Leader and thereafter allowed that nominees be asked questions.
Screening of the former Governor had been controversial as a result of petition sent to the Senate by Integrity Group in Rivers State.
The petitioner relied on the report of a Panel of Inquiry that purportedly indicted Mr. Amaechi of corruption while serving as Rivers Governor, the petitioner had asked the Senate not screen him.
Interestingly, despite the fact that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by Senator Sam Anyanwu, had dismissed the petition on the basis that it is still in court, the Senate kept postponing his screening.
Mr. Amaechi was screened alongside five other ministerial nominees listed on the Order Paper issued for the day.
In his introductory remarks, the former Governor said he was humbled to have been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as a minister if confirmed.
He also said it was a rare privilege to address the Senators whether or not he becomes Minister.
Mr. Amaechi highlighted few of the achievements recorded during his tenure as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and as Governor.
However, it was not a smooth sail for the embattled Amaechi as attempt by the Minority Leader, PDP Senator Godswil Akpabio and Majority Leader, APC’s Alli Ndume, to allow him ‘to take a bow and go’ was resisted by Senators who were aggrieved by the manner Senator Ndume presented it referring to them as “You People”.
Senator Akpabio had said on behalf of PDP Senators that they would not have any question for the nominee.
To settle the uproar caused by Ndume’s presentation, Senate president Bukola Saraki, apologized on behalf of the Majority Leader and thereafter allowed that nominees be asked questions.
Screening of the former Governor had been controversial as a result of petition sent to the Senate by Integrity Group in Rivers State.
The petitioner relied on the report of a Panel of Inquiry that purportedly indicted Mr. Amaechi of corruption while serving as Rivers Governor, the petitioner had asked the Senate not screen him.
Interestingly, despite the fact that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by Senator Sam Anyanwu, had dismissed the petition on the basis that it is still in court, the Senate kept postponing his screening.
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