The Senate was thrown into a chaotic session on Monday when some senators objected to the consideration of a ministerial nominee from Delta State, Festus Keyamo, over accusations of past disrespect and misconduct.
This arose when Senator Darlington Nwokocha of Abia Central moved to have the nomination hearing for Keyamo suspended. Nwokocha’s motion triggered an intense debate, causing the divisions in the house.
Nwokocha had accused Keyamo of disrespecting the 9th National Assembly and accusing the last Assembly of being corrupt when there was a dispute between the ministerial nominee and the federal legislatures over the implementation of the Special Works Programme (SWP) of the then administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nwokocha’s motion was seconded by his colleague from Abia-South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, sought to resolve the issue with a voice vote, but the senators were deeply divided, leading to a highly charged atmosphere.
The debate became increasingly heated, and Akpabio decided to call for a closed session, in which the senators would meet behind closed doors to discuss the matter.