At Last, Senate Screens Amaechi, Four Others As Ministers

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, October 22nd, 2015

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nigerian Senate has screened of another five Ministerial Nominees, including the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

Amaechi’s screening started with motion moved to acknowledge the Senate’s receipt of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions report on petitions submitted by the Integrity Group.

Former Rivers State Governor however shocked the Senators when he stated that he was never indicted by the report submitted to the Senate, by the State’s inquiry Commission set up by the incumbent Governor, Nyesom Wike.

After responding to questions only from the ruling APC Senators, as the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio stated in his point of order, that the opposition PDP resolution was not to ask Amaechi questions.

After questions asked by APC senators on power; Niger Delta; unemployment; corruption among others, the former Governor was asked to take a bow and go.

Other Nominees screened Thursday were: Hon. Babasherif Mustapha, (Borno); Professor Claudius Omoyele Daramola, (Ondo); Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), (Kogi) and Former Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, (Bayelsa).

The Senate did not however confirm any of the Nominees. Thursday’s screening brought to seven, out of about 18 left to be screened.

Meanwhile, the Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed delight that former governor was able to appear before the senate for screening.

A statement issued by the party says “By his sparkling performance during his screening by the Senate on Thursday afternoon, immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has left no one in doubt of how eminently qualified he is to become a Minister”

“We are full of pride and wish to heartily congratulate our leader, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, for the excellent way he acquitted himself when he finally appeared before the upper chamber this afternoon for screening as a ministerial nominee. It can only take a Lion of Niger Delta Politcs to conduct and compact yourself for the excellent way you did.”