The Senate has suspended its own norms in order to begin vetting President Bola Tinubu’s 28 ministry nominations on Monday, July 31.
Senators are not supposed to meet on Mondays, according to Senate Rules.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, hinted at a comprehensive screening for each of the nominees during a press conference following the session.
He said that the Red Chamber had to postpone its annual lengthy break, which was supposed to begin on Thursday, in order for MPs to examine the nominations for as long as the process would take.
The spokesman ruled out the traditional “bow and go” for any of the nominations, save when absolutely essential, assuring Nigerians that the 10th Senate will not disappoint them.
He stated that the screening process this time will be rigorous and will not be a ‘bow and go’ activity.
According to him, “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 candidates’ names have been read out, anybody who has anything against them, such as petitions, can direct them to the appropriate Senate committees.
Concerning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) charges of fraud against some nominees, such as former governors, he stated that all nominees had gone through executive security screening procedures.
He said: “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”.
The spokesman said, “Although the Senate is not supposed to sit on Mondays, but because of the importance attached to this national assignment, we have suspended all our rules for them to commence the exercise next Monday.”
