Abuja, Aug. 1, 2023 – Nasir el Rufai, a former Gov. of Kaduna State and a ministerial nominee did not have it easy like other nominees during his ministerial screening on Tuesday.
After El-Rufai had reeled out his achievements as governor and former FCT minister, questions were entertained from lawmakers.
As Senators took turns to speak on the nominee, Sunday Karimi, a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, drew the attention of senators and the nominee to a petition against him, which he said, was being submitted in line with the parliamentary rules.
Karimi said: “Mr Nominee, you did well in your previous offices, and there is no doubt about that, but there is a petition against you.”
He raised an envelope, which he submitted to the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who was presiding at the time El-Rufai was being questioned.
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, then took over and said: “Distinguished colleagues, perhaps I have to inform all of you that I have received similar petitions from people against other nominees, but this is not where we are to deal with petitions.
“Our job here is to screen, and of course, we can refer petitions to where petitions will be dealt with.
They are nominees of Mr President. If there is a formal petition before the Senate, we will look at it formally, but there are certain petitions we have to refer to the Presidency or the security agencies to look at, and that has nothing to do with us.
“By the time we go into confirmation, we will be so advised.
“So. I want my brother to take a bow and go and not bother to explain the petition.” (GBN)
