A mild drama played out on the floor of the Senate over the absence of the much awaited ministerial nominees’ list on Wednesday.
The Senate gallery was unusually crowded by people who thought that the ministerial list would be read by Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The drama was sparked by the outburst of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate President had hardly concluded reading a letter from the South West Senate caucus which nominated and endorsed Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) as Senate Chief Whip when Akpabio sought and was granted the leave to speak.
Akpabio started by thanking President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for calling to sympathize with him over the auto crash he was involved in last month in Abuja.
He said the newspapers, television stations and other media outlets were awash with the news that the ministerial list had been sent to the Senate.
He added that President Buhari promised that the list would be submitted to the Senate in September.
He noted that most Nigerians were also concerned that submission of the list had been unduly delayed.
He said, “Mr. President, today is September 30th. Where is the ministerial list. I am surprised that the list is not part of what was read by Mr. Senate President.”
Before Saraki could respond, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, took the floor.
Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South) stood in for Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, who was not in the chamber.
He noted that since the question Akpabio raised had to do with the All Progressives Party (APC) government, it was his duty to respond.
Na’Allah said that it was still too early for anybody to conclude that the ministerial list would not be submitted on Wednesday.
The Deputy Senate Leader said he was aware that the office of the Senate President remains open till 12 midnight every day.
He insisted that the ministerial list could still be submitted to the Senate especially when September 30th ends at 12 midnight on Wednesday.
He said, “11.59pm up to 12midnight is still September 30th. The day is still very young. The ministerial list can still be submitted. So there is no cause for alarm.”
Na’Allah’s response drew wild laughter from Senators on both sides of the divide. Some were gesturing to pat Na’Allah on the back.
Saraki said that based on the explanation of Na’Allah, he has no option than to rule Akpabio out of order.
There was further laughter in the chamber.
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