Rotimi Amaechi Confirmed as a Minister

The Senate today approved the nomination of Rotimi Amaechi as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amaechi was only approved after the Senate emerged from a closed session.

After the approval of 17 ministers, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called on the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to submit its report on the petition against Rotimi Amaechi.

After Senator Anyanwu concluded the reading of the report, Senator George Sekibo said the petition against Amaechi is an allegation and should not be amended by any Senator.

He said: “We’re joining President Muhammadu Buhari to fight against corruption, I hope his followers join him to fight against corruption too.”

Senator Jide Omoworare then interjected, by referring Senator Sekibo to the Senate Standing Rules, which states that the Senate cannot decide on the matter, since the petition is still in court.

Senator Anyanwu retorted, stating that due to the report of the committee, the Senate has no right to recommend confirmation of Amaechi.

Senator Biodun Olujimi then took the floor to buttress his point, noting that the petition is a moral burden on the House, but before he could finish his sentence, All Progressives Congress senators drowned him with shouts of ‘no, no, no’.

At this point, senators of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Godswill Akpabio, walked out of the chamber.

After the back and forth between the senators, President of the Senate, Saraki rejected the report of the committee, and approved the nomination of Rotimi Amaechi, as a minister.