SCREENING: Abaribe supports ex-Gov Sylva to ‘take a bow’, says Senate has changed its rule

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Minority Leader of the Nigerian Senate, on Thursday supported former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, to ‘take a bow and go’ since the 9th Senate has changed the rule.

He stated this at the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees at the Senate, when it was the turn of Sylva to be screened by the senators.

Sylva, had in his address told the lawmakers that he was a member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly in 1992.

The tradition of the Senate is to allow former senators take a bow, but Senate President Ahmed Lawan-led 9th Assembly, had on Tuesday allowed Rivers State former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who was a former state house of assembly member to take a bow and go.

Responding therefore when Sylva told the Senate that he was a former state assembly member, Abaribe said, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

“Since we have bent backwards, let us also bend backwards to allow the former Bayelsa House of Assembly member to take a bow and go.

“Let me also remind the chamber that Timipreye Sylva is a lonee to APC after he has been trained by the PDP. Moreso, the Bayelsa caucus has thrown their weight behind the former Governor to become a Minister.”

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Responding, Lawan praised Bayelsa governor, Seriake Dickson, for supporting the nominee Sylva despite their political differences.

“Let me remark that what the Governor of Bayelsa did and what the caucus did to support shows patriotism and is healthy for Nigerian democracy.”

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