Senate receives petition to stop screening of El-Rufai

In a contentious session at the Nigerian Senate, former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai faced a petition against his nomination. However, the Senate ultimately cleared him for his nomination, allowing him to proceed with the screening process.

As the third nominee on the list to be screened, El-Rufai addressed the upper legislative chamber, presenting his political and educational backgrounds and highlighting his struggle for a democratic society, which led to a period of exile.

During the proceedings, Senator Sunday Karimi from Kogi West Senatorial District raised a petition against El-Rufai and submitted it to Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who was presiding at the time. The manner of the petition’s submission caused discomfort among the senators.

Amidst the heated discussion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio took over the chair and clarified that the Senate’s role during the screening process was not to address petitions. He explained that if there were formal petitions, they would be handled appropriately, either by referring them to relevant authorities or the Presidency.

Senators Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha, representing Kaduna North Senatorial District, and Sani Musa, representing Niger East, spoke in support of El-Rufai. They praised his leadership qualities and performance in previous offices, urging their colleagues to allow him to take a bow and proceed with the nomination.

After deliberations, the Senate granted Nasir El-Rufai the opportunity to continue with the screening process. The former governor’s nomination will now progress for further consideration and confirmation by the Senate.