In spite of all the odds placed on his way, Ex-Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has finally sailed through senate screening, thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating him and considering it as a rare honour to address the Senators whether or not he is approved to serve as minister.
Amaechi was screened alongside five other ministerial nominees listed on the Order Paper issued for the day.
Speaking before questions began to come from the Senator, 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.
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.
Amaechi nomination for Senatorial screening has been dogged by controversies, occasioned by 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.
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. [myad]
