Uproar as Senate finally screens Amaechi

In from Timothy Enietan-Matthews . . .

The much anticipated screening of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi finally took place Thursday, albeit to a rancorous start.

Amaechi, who came into the Red Chamber in a full Niger Delta attire, addressed the Senate on what he said he considers as his contributions to national development. He spoke glowingly of his time as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and later the governor of the state.

Immediately after his address, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, coming under Order 43, informed the Senate that PDP Senators will have no question for Amaechi, hinging the decision on the fact that the report of the senate committee on public petition on Amaechi, earlier submitted to the senate had not been debated.

Reacting to PDP senators’ position, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, requested that the nominee take a bow and go.

Akpabio however countered him, saying APC Senators were free to ask Amaechi questions. In trying to explain his position, Ndume incurred the wrath of PDP Senators as he referred to them as ‘this people’.

Ndume’s choice of words turned proceedings rancorous, as PDP Senators shouted on him, demanding for a retraction and an apology.

It took the intervention of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to calm things, appealing to Senators on both sides to handle things with maturity.

While fielding questions from some APC Senators, Amaechi described President Muhammadu Buhari as a better president in comparison with former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, though the former President is a good man, he lacked the capacity to lead Nigeria.

 

Read also: Senate slates Amaechi, Lokpobiri, three others for screening

Amachi also disclosed that the Nigeria Governors forum, NGF, was formed to check federal executive lawlessness, impunity and corruption in the handling of revenue, adding that former President Jonathan once accused him of turning the NGF into a union.

Amaechi, who labored to defend his tenure as governor of Rivers State, contended that he hates corruption and that the probe panel put in place by the Rivers State Government to investigate his tenure did not indict him anywhere in the commission’s report, which he said he had with him

Amaechi, who was led into the chamber at about 1.38pm by Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Odigie Oyegun and Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, went ahead to field the questions before he was finally allowed to bow and go.

Outside the chamber, there was another round of uproar as supporters of Amaechi who had gathered outside went into a frenzy when he emerged, singing his praises.

 

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