The Senate has put aside its own laws to allow the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s 28 ministry nominations to begin on Monday, July 31.
The Senate Rules state that senators are not supposed to meet on Mondays.
There would be a rigorous vetting for each of the nominations, according to Senator Yemi Adaramodu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, who dropped the hint while addressing the media following the plenary.
He said that in order to give lawmakers enough time to thoroughly vet the nominations, the Red Chamber had to postpone its annual lengthy break, which was scheduled to begin on Thursday.
The spokesperson assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate will not let them down by dispensing with the customary “bow and go” for any of the nominations, barring extreme circumstances.
He said that this time, the screening process will be rigorous and not just a “bow and go.”
He stated:
“The 10th Senate will scrutinise the character, personality and the ability of every nominee.
“Thorough screening for anybody who will be minister entails he/she must have ideas about everything, but in core specialties like health, judiciary, yes, the minister must be a professional.
“The character of the nominees must carry the resume, but we will not manufacture questions and allegations against anyone.”
Senator Adaramodu recommended that now that the nominees’ names have been announced, anybody with complaints, such as petitions, should direct them to the appropriate senators in the Senate.
Regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) claims of fraud against some nominees, such as past governors, he stated that all nominees had through security screening examinations from the executive.
According to him, “However, if there is any red flag raised, we will look into it, re-emphasising that Nigerians will never be disappointed by the Senate as “the team will bring oxygen”.
“Although the Senate is not supposed to sit on Mondays, because of the importance attached to this national assignment, we have suspended all our rules for them to commence the exercise next Monday,” the spokesperson stated.
cc: Daily Post Ng
