Politics
Keyamo’s Screening Ministerial Turns Dramatic
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest ministerial nominee, Festus Keyamo caused a stir in the Senate when opposition Senators dug into his past to put a wedge on his clearance.
When Keyamo, who served as a minister of State for Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, appeared before the upper chamber on Monday for screening.
Those who expected a ‘take a bow and go’ because of Keyamu’s perceived political muscle were stunned to see Senator Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central), moved the motion for the suspension of the nominee’s screening.
Senator Nwokocha put the house in remembrance of how Keyamo berated the lawmakers from both chambers when he was serving under Buhari.
He also threw light on corruption charges levelled against the nominee and how he waved-off the National Assembly’s summons in 2020 over the employment scheme of 774,000 Nigerians recruited for the special public works programme.
Senator Nwokocha said, “I move that we suspend forthwith screening of the nomination and wait until when this is cleared.”
The motion was thereafter seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, (APGA, Abia South).
With the turn of events, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was compelled to test the popularity of the view with the Senators.
He put the motion to a voice vote after the first, to which the lawmakers responded in a disorderly manner, collectively shouting “no” and “yes”.
To douse the tension, some lawmakers called for “division”, a decision which once taken might water down the power of the Senate President.
The division is a parliamentary term that means that lawmakers physically take sides with any of the votes either in favour of ‘Yay’ or ‘Nay’.
At the verge of losing control of proceedings and with little option of restoring order in the house, the Senate President got on his feet and called for order.
This he did because the Senate Standing Orders provides that the moment the Senate President stands up, every other lawmaker must take his/her seat.
Having restored order in the house, Akpabio called for a closed-door session and the lawmakers adjourned the plenary till 3:30 pm.
It was gathered the matter was of such import that the Senate President had to brief President Tinubu personally on the outcome, after the day’s business at the Senate.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will visit Benue State on Wednesday for a town hall meeting as part of efforts to promote their vision for a new Nigeria.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, will take place at Mission House, beside Benue Links Park, Wurukum, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Arrive in Calabar
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates to engage residents of the state and communicate their political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the visit, Obi described Benue as the Food Basket of the Nation and said the delegation was taking its message of a new Nigeria to the state.
“PO IN BENUE.
“We are taking the message of a New Nigeria to the Food Basket of the Nation today,” the announcement read.
The town hall meeting is part of the party’s political engagement activities as Obi and Kwankwaso seek to build support for their joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Politics
Shettima Arrives Jigawa for APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Tinubu to Inaugurate Four Projects
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima arrived at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, alongside governors from other states.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The Vice President’s arrival was disclosed on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
Those present included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from across the country were also present to welcome the Vice President.
Before proceeding to the Dutse Township Stadium for the campaign rally, Shettima is expected to accompany President Tinubu to inaugurate four projects in the state.
The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, Jigawa State’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technical education, promoting skills acquisition, improving agricultural mechanisation and enhancing road infrastructure across the state.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.
The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.
“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.
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