The Senate, on Wednesday, suspended the confirmation of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following the absence of a mandatory security clearance from relevant agencies.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, said the upper chamber could not proceed with the confirmation until the required clearance was received.
“The confirmation of the minister-nominee would have been next on the list, but we need security clearance,” Akpabio told lawmakers during Wednesday’s session.
President Bola Tinubu had, on Tuesday, forwarded Udeh’s name to the Senate for confirmation as a minister representing Enugu State.
The nomination came after the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down last month amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
In a letter read by Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, the President said the nomination was made pursuant to Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to appoint ministers subject to Senate confirmation.
Nnaji’s exit had left Enugu State without representation in the Federal Executive Council, prompting Tinubu’s prompt replacement.
After reading the President’s request, the Senate referred Udeh’s nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and legislative action.
However, when the matter appeared on Wednesday’s Order Paper, Akpabio announced that the screening and confirmation could not proceed due to the pending security clearance.
He hinted, however, that the nominee might already be en route to the National Assembly with the required documentation.
“One of the senators told me that the nominee is on his way here with the security clearance letter,” Akpabio noted.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) quickly objected, warning against compromising legislative procedure.
“This is an institution. I have nothing against the young man; I know him. But let’s respect this institution. You can’t wait for the nominee because he’s coming with a security clearance letter. No, that’s not done,” Ningi said.
Responding, Akpabio maintained that the Senate would not bend its rules or delay proceedings indefinitely.
“I don’t even have any intention of waiting for anybody because after screening them, you don’t see them again,” he quipped.
Following the exchange, Akpabio directed the Senate Leader to move a motion for a closed-door session to discuss “national issues.”
The motion was seconded, and lawmakers subsequently dissolved into an executive session to deliberate privately on pending matters, including the stalled ministerial confirmation.
