The director general of the 2015 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign organisation, was approved after series of questions had been asked by senators.
There was mild drama at the beginning of the session as Minority Leader, senator Godswill Akpabio informed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus had no questions for the nominee, and this was immediately corroborated by the senate leader, Ali Ndume, who asked that Amaechi takes a bow and go.
But the senators disagreed with him, stating that they would ask him questions irrespective of what the PDP caucus had stated.
The Senate president, Bukola Saraki ruled that the nominee be given the same preferential treatment given to other former legislators, but the senators insisted on asking questions.
The former governor was however, approved after series of questions had been asked by the senators, some of whom were his counterparts when he served as the head of Rivers state.
The former governor was however, approved after series of questions had been asked by the senators, some of whom were his counterparts when he served as the head of Rivers state.
Shortly after the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki acknowledged receipt of his curriculum vitae, Amaechi was told to highlight his achievements as a former speaker and ex-governor.
This led to the question-and-answer session when Amaechi answered questions from the senators.
Earlier the senate minority leader Senator Godswill Akpabio said the PDP senators had resolved not to ask Amaechi questions bordering on the screening, disclosing they have petitions against the nominee.
The Senate Leader, Senate Ali Ndume however opposed the stance of Akpabio and the opposition,saying as a former Speaker and Governor, Amaechi could as well simply bow and go.
On his role as a former chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF), Amaechi said,”‘We refined governance and repositioned leadership under my tenure as Governor.
All we did in the Governors Forum was to defend the rights of Nigerians.I find it difficult to do what people want me to do, if it clashes with my principles.
Nigerian politicians believe there is need for compromise but not when it clashes with my principles.”
On development in key sectors, Amaechi added that: “I believe there are resources in the Niger-Delta, that is why there is Militancy.If I become the Minister for Niger Delta, the East – West Road will be first to be completed.
If you invest in Agriculture & invest in Technology, you will hire as many workers as you can get. In Rivers State we established two farms.
We must improve on the Social Rights of the people; if you have peace you’ll have investors.Why people don’t invest in Nigeria is because the cost of investment is higher than the profit’ We must also invest in Education; Some of our youths are unemployable”.
On corruption, he further said: “I have never collected bribe in my life.If they send a girl to you to do something for her and you sleep with the girl, you are corrupt.Corruption is difficult
However, the Senate finally approved ex-governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi; former Speaker, Bayelsa state House of Assembly, Heineken Lopkobiri (Bayelsa); Claudius Daramola (Ondo); Baba Shehun Mustapha (Bornu) and Ocholi Enojo James (Kogi).
The screening of former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, a ministerial nominee from Osun state, earlier scheduled to be confirmed today, has been postponed to next week.
Eighteen nominees were screened last week before the Senate shifted the exercise.
The first list of nominees was sent to the Senate on September 30 by President Buhari while a second list was sent on October 12.
The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, had said that the Senate would adopt measures that are in line with the provisions of the Constitution in carrying out the screening exercise.
The Nigerian Senate will continue the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers on October 27, Tuesday
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