Ministerial Screening: Senate May Bend Rules To Clear Amaechi, Fashola, Others

Some ministerial nominees, who may be deemed likely to fail the Senate Ministerial Screening, may now not need to rally support from their home states as the screening proceeding is said not to be sacrosanct.

According to Senate spokesperson, Dino Melaye, a senate rule requiring nominees to secure the support of at least two senators from the states is “not sacrosanct”.

He said it was only part of a set of rules, but cautioned that any decision to change it would be taken on the floor of the Senate.

“It is not the only modalities,” Mr. Melaye said when asked about the issue of support from at least two senators.

“There are other issues. It is not only that two Senators must support a nominee from his state that will be used. And it is not sacrosanct.”

“If one passes other modalities but failed in one, he or she can still be cleared…but that has to be determined on the floor of the Senate”.