Senate in rowdy session over motion to step down Keyamo’s ministerial nomination

The Senate went into a rowdy session after a constitutional point of order and motion moved by Senator Darlington Nwokocha calling for the screening of Festus Keyamo as minister to be stepped down.

The senator representing Abia Central asked that Keyamo’s nomination be stood down over his past attitude towards the National Assembly when he was minister.

This was seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from Abia South.

When the Senate President put the matter to voice vote, majority of the senators said Yea, while others shouted nay.

This forced members into a rowdy session, with many speaking at the same time.

Akpabio eventually stood up to speak, invoking a rule of the Senate which says when the Senate President is on his feet, all Senators must immediately take their seats and stop talking. This forced others to remain silent as he asked the Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele on the next line of action.

Bamidele moved a motion that the senate proceed to an executive session, which was seconded by Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon.

Keyamo had accused the senators of blackmail in 2020 while he was minister of labour and employment after he ignored the summon of parliament over the employment scheme of 774,000 Nigerians recruited for the special public works programme.