Segun Adeosun
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed embattled Musiliu Obanikoro as Minister of the Federal Republic despite a walk-out staged by Senators who are members of the All
Progressives Congress, APC.
Obanikoro was asked to take a bow rather than be screened by the Senate. This is consistent with the tradition of the upper legislative chamber when screening a former member of the Senate.
However, it is also the tradition of the Senate not to confirm the appointment of any Ministerial nominee whose nomination has been opposed by at least two Senators from his state of origin.
In the case of Obanikoro, all three Senators from Lagos State opposed his nomination over his alleged involvement in the Ekiti election rigging tape.
It can be recalled that a tape was released recently, which had Obanikoro chairing a meeting on how to rig the Ekiti Gubernatorial election.
Although the former Minister denied any complicities in that matter, Senators in the APC have consistently called for an investigation into the matter.
Before Obanikoro was confirmed on Wednesday, Gbenga Ashafa, a senator representing Lagos East, raised a point of order that there is a case in court against Obanikoro, showing the senate president a newspaper, but he was overruled.
Senate President David Mark said since three of the senators from Lagos oppose Obanikoro’s nomination, he would put his nomination to a voice vote, and the ayes carried the day.
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