After three weeks of ministerial screening, the Senate has finally confirmed all 36 ministerial nominees as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The confirmation process of one of the nominee, Rotimi Amaechi was however greeted with extreme disgust from the PDP senators.
Rotimi Amaechi walks into the Red Chamber with an entourage that had more than a dozen people
This is a minute-by-minute account of the confirmation process. Read below:
16:32: After three weeks of ministerial screening, the Senate has finally confirmed all 36 ministerial nominees as Ministers. The Senate adjourns plenary session to Tuesday, November 3.
16:31: Saraki congratulates the new Ministers, hoping they will live up to the promises that have made.
16:31: Senate moves back to plenary.
16:30: The Senate confirms Rotimi Amaechi as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:30: The Senate confirms Aisha Mohammed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:30: The Senate confirms Adamu Adamu as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:29: The Senate confirms Mohammed Musa Bello as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:29: The Senate confirms Anwuka Anthony Gozie as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:29: The Senate confirms Okechukwu Enelamah as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:29: The Senate confirms Pastor Usani Usani as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:28: The Senate confirms Dan Ali as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:27: The Senate confirms Zainab Ahmed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:27: The Senate confirms Geoffrey Onyeama as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:27: The Senate confirms Hon. Bawa Bwari as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:27: The Senate confirms Adewole Folorunso as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:27: The Senate confirms James Ocholi as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:26: The Senate confirms Baba Shehuri Mustapha as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:26: The Senate confirms Claudius Omoleye as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:25: The Senate confirms Heineken Lokpbiri as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:23: The Senate confirms Khadija Abba Ibrahim as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:22: The Senate confirms Barrister Adebayo Shittu as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:14: The Senate approves Rotimi Amaechi as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
16:12: The Senate rejects the report the Senate Committee on Ethics.
16:10: The PDP senators look to have seen enough as they walk out of the Red Chamber.
16:05: Senator Olujimi says that the Senate should allow the Court to absolve Amaechi from any corrupt allegation before he can be confirmed.
16:00: Senator Sam Anyanwu takes the floor saying that due to the report of the Committee on Ethics, The Senate has no right to recommend confirmation.
15:55: Senator Omoworare says the Committee on Ethics and Privileges is the most important Committtee of the House. He refers to the Senate Standing Rules saying since the Petition is in court, the Senate cannot decide on the matter.
15:50: Senator Sekibo comments on the Petition against Amaechi stating that it is an allegation and should not be amended by any Senator. He goes on to say that Nigerians are watching and the Senate shouldn’t encourage corruption.
15:47: The Debate on the report brought forward by the Committee on Ethics & Privileges goes on and on as Distinguished Senators make their comments.
15:40: PDP senators and APC senators disagree on the findings and observations of the Committee Ethics and Privileges.
15:34: Senator Anyawu reads out the findings and observations of the Committee Ethics and Privileges.
15:33: Saraki calls on Senator Anyawu, the chairman of the Committee Ethics and Privileges to submit it’s report on the petition against Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
15:33: The Senate approves the Nomination of Aisha Mohammed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:32: The Senate approves the Nomination of Adamu Adamu as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:32: The Senate approves the Nomination of Mohammed Musa Bello as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:31: The Senate approves the Nomination of Anwuka Anthony Gozie as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:30: The Senate withdraws the petition of Professor Anwuka Anthony Gozie.
15:29: The Senate approves the Nomination of Okechukwu Enelamah as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:29: The Senate approves the Nomination of Pastor Usani Usani as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:28: The Senate approves the Nomination of Dan Ali as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:27: The Senate approves the Nomination of Zainab Ahmed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:27: The Senate approves the Nomination of Geoffrey Onyeama as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:27: The Senate approves the Nomination of Hon. Bawa Bwari as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:27: The Senate approves the Nomination of Adewole Folorunso as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:27: The Senate approves the Nomination of James Ocholi as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:26: The Senate approves the Nomination of Baba Shehuri Mustapha as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:26: The Senate approves the Nomination of Claudius Omoleye as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:25: The Senate approves the Nomination of Heineken Lokpbiri as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:23: The Senate approves the Nomination of Khadija Abba Ibrahim as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:22: The Senate approves the Nomination of Barrister Adebayo Shittu as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
15:19: The Senate now moves into the committee of the whole to commence the ministerial confirmation.
15:15: After over an hour in closed session, the Senate is ready to resume plenary session.
13:52: The Senate now moves into close session in preparation of the confirmation of the 18 ministerial nominees.
13:50: The Senate confirms Mahmood as INEC Chairman.
13:50: The Senate confirms Afro as INEC Commissioner.
13:50: The Senate confirms Simbini as INEC Commissioner.
13:49: The Senate confirms Zakari as INEC Commissioner.
13:49: The Senate confirms Lecky as INEC Commissioner.
13:48: The Senate confirms Soyebi as INEC Commissioner.
13:42: The Senate now reverts to plenary after sitting in the committee of a whole.
13:40: The Senate has also moved the motion for extension of time so to sit beyond the 2pm deadline.
13:38: The Senate approves the nomination of all five INEC commissioners and the INEC Chairman.
13:37: The Senate moves for the approval of the INEC Commissioners and Chairman.
13:35: Professor Mahmood Yakubu finally told to take a bow and leave after responding to series of questions from Senators.
13:33: Yakubu says: “I cannot be intimidated in the discharge of my duties.”
13:30: Yakubu says: “I have the character to do the right thing.”
13:25: More questions for Yakubu
13:23: Yakubu says: “There is going to be a difference in the next general election.”
13:21: Yakubu says: “We have to work to ensure a level playing ground on access to the media.”
13:20: Yakubu says: “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.”
13:17: Yakubu says: “You can never expect perfection over night.”
13:13: Yakubu says: “By this time next year, i’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.”
13:10: Yakubu says: “No election is going to go beyond the constitutional requirements of conducting elections.”
13:01: More questions for Yakubu
Mahmood Yakubu undergoing screening
13:00: Yakubu says: “No election is complete without the political parties addressing town hall meetings.”
12:59: Yakubu says: “The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early.”
12:58: Yakubu says: “We need to strengthen our institutions.”
12:57: Yakubu says: “I am on a consolidation mission.”
12:56: Yakubu says: “Fundamental reforms even constitutional amendment is needed to allow people in the diaspora to vote.”
12:54: Yakubu says: “I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification.”
12:53: Yakubu says: “We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.”
12:52: Yakubu says: ” Democracy is not about here and now, it’s about here and forever.”
12:50: Yakubu says: “The problem with technology is that it always comes with challenges’
12:49: Yakubu says: “We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System.”
12:48: Yakubu says: “Gender sensitivity and youth participation are issues the new INEC under the new leadership should tackle.”
12:46: Yakubu says: “The success of any election depends on the ability of the commission to plan in advance.”
12:43: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu opens the floor for questions directed to Yakubu.
12:39: Saraki asks Yakubu to introduce himself.
12:34: Afro is told to bow and go after responding to the posers from the Senators. It’s now the turn of the nominee for INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu
12:28: Questions for Afro.
12:25: Saraki asks Afro to introduce himself.
12:20: After answering just a question, Simbine is told to take a bow and go. Last commissioner to be screened is Baba Shettima Afro.
12:18: Simbine says: “If i’m confirmed as INEC commissioner, I would expect to operate as an unbiased Commissioner. I would also expect INEC to be unbiased & independent.”
12:14: Saraki asks Simbine to introduce herself.
12:12: Zakari is told to take a bow and leave after answering just one question raised by the Senate leader Ali Ndume. Antonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine
12:11: Zakari says: “We need to use more technologies to ensure efficiency and transparency in our election.”
12:10: Zakari says: “The elections have been transparent but we need to do more to make them more transparent.”
12:08: Zakari now entertaining questions raised on the floor of the House.
12:05: Saraki asks Zakari to introduce herself.
12:03: Lecky is told to bow and leave after answering series of questions. Next to be screened is Amina Zakari
12:01: Lecky says: “Going forward, there are things we can do to improve the Electoral System.”
11:59: Lecky says: “I see that dream of using Card Readers is Local Government Areas as a dream that can come to reality.”
11:57: Lecky says: “The place of technology is irreversible, this is because technology enhances efficiency.”
11:52: Questions now for Lecky.
11:48: Saraki asks Lecky to introduce himself.
11:43: Soyebi takes a bow and leaves after answering few questions on Electronic voting and the use of card readers. Next INEC national commissioner to be screened is Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky.
11:42: Soyebi says: “We’ll look at problems associated with the Card Readers, retrain our workers & invent new ways to make it better.”
11:40: Soyebi says: ‘We would do more training and retraining of the operators of the card readers.’
11:34: More questions for Soyebi Adedeji Solomon
Soyebi Adedeji Solomon undergoing screening
11:32: Soyebi says: “Technology is an important solution to delivery of election services. Flawless election can’t be possible manually.”
11:30: Soyebi says: “No election in this world is perfect. What can be done is to reduce the hiccups and ensure there’s transparency.”
11:29: Soyebi says: “Electronic Voting has been adopted in many countries because of the facilities they have there.”
11:28: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon now answering questions on Electronic voting.
11:24: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon is now being quizzed by Senators.
11:20: Saraki asks Soyebi Adedeji Solomon to introduce himself.
11:18: First INEC commissioner to be screened is Soyebi Adedeji Solomon.
11:17: The Senate moves to the committee of a whole to commence the screening of INEC commissioners and chairman.
11:16: The Senate also moves to allow the entrance of the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters and the INEC Nominees
11:14: Saraki also welcomes the staff and students of Gloryland Nur/Pry School and Doveland Nur/Pry School who are in the Gallery.
11:10: Saraki felicitates with Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central who is celebrating his birthday today.
11:o7: Senate President takes the official prayer
11:03: Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives the Red Chamber.
11:00: Today would see the Official Confirmation of the remaining screened 18 ministerial nominees.
