At last, former Rivers State governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi has passed the niddle’s eye to land a ministerial job.
His appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari was finally confirmed today by the Senate after series of stumbling blocks from his home government, the leadership and senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His confirmation today was also trailed by drama and walkout the PDP senators.
Amaechi was the last to be taken for confirmation with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, calling on Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the head of Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to provide the report on the investigation of the petition against Amaechi.
Anyanwu’s committee recommended that the Senate could not do anything with the confirmation considering that Amaechi’s case against the Rivers State Government was pending at the Court of Appeal.
Amaechi had appealed a judgement of the High Court which upheld that the commission of enquiry set up by the state government to try Amaechi was legal.
The Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, then urged the Senate to allow a proper discussion on the report brought to the Senate by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, however called on the Senate to confirm Amaechi since the case was in court and not confirming him would be against the Senate Rule.
However, while Akpabio attempted to kick against the argument, he was shouted down by the APC senators.
The PDP senators who had arguments against the confirmation were also shouted down by their counterparts in the APC.
Senator George Sekibo from Rivers State, while rejecting Amaechi’s confirmation, argued that the allegation of corruption and other alleged crimes against Amaechi should not be amended by any Senator.
“We’re joining President Muhammadu Buhari to fight against corruption, I hope his followers join him to fight against corruption too,” Sekibo said while reminding the Senate of the moral burden before it, concerning Amaechi.
He was countered by Senator Babajide Omoworare, who noted that though the Committee on Ethics and Privileges is the most important Committee of the House, but that part of the Standing Rules of the Senate was being contravened.
He said since the petition is in court, the Senate cannot decide on the matter.
While the arguments went on, Senator Samuel Anyanwu explained that his Committee’s recommendations showed that the Senate had no right to recommend confirmation.
He was supported by Senator Biodun Olujimi, who said the petition is a moral burden on the Senate and that the Senate should be conscious of this.
She was however shouted down by the APC senators.
Senator Barnabas Gemade then urged the Senate President to put the issue to vote saying the minority already had their say and that it was time for the majority to have their way.
The senators then voted to reject the committee report with the majority favouring the rejection.
As Saraki was putting the issue to a vote, the PDP senators, led by Akpabio, begged to exit the Senate Chamber.
The PDP senators then staged a walk-out, but the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, waited behind.
The Senate thereafter approved the nomination of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as Minister of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Other nominees confirmed by the Senate included Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Khadija Abba Ibrahim, Heineken Lokpobiri, Cladius Omoleye Daramola, Baba Shehuri Mustapha, Ocholi Enojo James, Adewole Folorunso, Hon. Bawa Bwari, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Zainab S. Ahmed, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, Pastor Usani Uguru, Mr. Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah, Professor Anwuka Anthony Gozie, Mohammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar. [myad]
