Ogbeh, Dambazzau, Onu, Fayemi, 6 Others Scale Senate Screening…Amaechi, Fashola, Others To Face Senators Tomorrow

The Nigerian Senate today commenced the screening of ministerial nominees sent to the red chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari about a fortnight ago. Ten out of the 21 nominees on the first batch of ministerial list while

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also read during plenary the names of the 16 fresh ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate on Monday evening by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

Those on the new list include Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Professor Anthony Anwuka, Geoffrey Onyeama, Brig. Gen. MM Dan-Ali (Rtd), James E. Ocholi, Zainab Shasuna Ahmed and Okechuku Enelamah.

Others are Muhammadu Bello, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Aisha Abubakar, Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamu Adamu, Professor Isaac Adewole, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru and Abubakar Bwari Bawa.

Nominees screened today include: Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, General Abdurrahman Dambazau, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mrs Amina Mohammed, Sulaiman Adamu and Ibrahim Usman Jibril

Senator Udo-Udoma was the first to take the stand but was spared from undergoing the rigours of screening. Contrary to the earlier promise of the Senate that all the nominees will be treated equally, Udo-Udoma who served as a Senator between 1999 and 2007 was only told to give a brief background of himself, after which he took a bow and left the chamber.

Former governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi followed thereafter. During his screening, the former governor was told to render an account of stewardship of his tenure as the chief executive of Ekiti state. He defended his records and also gave himself a pass mark. There are other few questions from Senators, after which he took a bow and left the chamber.

For Chief Ogbeh who served as a minister in 1979 during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari was grilled by the Senators on issues relating to agriculture. In his response, he explained how the government would revamp the agricultural sector and create millions of jobs for the youths. After an eventful exchange, Ogbeh took a bow and left.

Former governor of Abia state, Dr. Onu in his usual style, responded to the questions which were primarily focused on the power sector. Unlike his colleagues, he was not grilled. He was soon told to take a bow, after which he left the chamber.

Dr. Ehanire was grilled on issues relating to medicine. He was queried on how he would restructure the health sector if appointed to serve as Health minister. His responses were apt and clear. He was also asked why doctors in the country had challenges in giving the right diagnoses to patients. He also proffered solutions on how the menace can be corrected.

Former Chief of Army Staff, General Dambazau did not disappoint the Senators who grilled him on issues relating to insecurity and insurgency in the country. He was also probed on how he handled the issue of security when he held sway as Army boss. He explained how he would change the tide against the insurgents and ensure the protection of the sovereignty of Nigeria.

Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed explained how he will cash in on his vast wealth of experience to promote the interest of the country. Although the Senate minority leader, Obong Godswill Akpabio insisted that the Kwara-born politician respond to more questions, Saraki countered him, after which he took a bow and left the chamber.

Contrary to popular expectations, former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan on MDGs, Mrs Mohammed did not face any hiccups during her screening. She was given a clean bill and asked to take a bow, after which she left the chamber.

Adamu, during his screening was asked how he will ensure the provision of portable water to every nook and cranny of the country if appointed as Water Resources minister. He gave useful insights on what to expect. Like the rest, he took a bow and left the chamber.

Jibril who previously served as a senior staff at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), fielded questions from Senators on issues bordering on the development of the territory. In his response, he proffered solutions on how to tackle the spiralling population growth. He took a bow and left the chamber.

The screening exercise of the first ten nominees ended at about 5.10pm. Sitting was therefore adjourned till tomorrow, October 14, 2015 for further screening of other ministerial nominees.

Meanwhile, the Senate has explained why former governor of Rivers state, Chibuike Amaechi could not be screened alongside with other nominees. Briefing journalists after the Senate adjourned, chairman of the adhoc committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Dino Melaye, said the recommendations of the committee on Ethics and Public Petitions will be adopted during plenary tomorrow, after which Amaechi will be cleared for screening.

Melaye said: “We expect that tomorrow, we will screen minimum of ten. We will see how we can extend the time and screen all the nominees by Thursday evening, including the new ones. We expect them to submit their CVs to the Senate president on before 10am today. Amaechi was supposed to appear today since his CV was already with the Senate.

“The reason why he was not taken was because the report of the committee on Ethics and Public Petitions was not ready. The report will be adopted tomorrow (today) and he will be cleared for screening. He will undergo the screening exercise tomorrow.”