After his address, Senator Darlington Nwokocha of the Labour Party, representing Abia Central Senatorial District raised a point of Order, citing Section 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended empowering the parliament to carry out its oversight function.
The Senator explained how Festus Keyamo blatantly blocked the lower legislative Chamber from oversighting a scheme with a budgetary allocation of N52 billion which he was supervising as the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity.
Nwokocha who was a member of the House of Representatives in the ninth National Assembly lamented how how Keyamo undermined the powers of the Parliament breached some section of the Constitution.
He thereafter moved a motion that the screening of the nominee be stepped down until he has to explained how the sum of N52 billion was spent.
The motion was seconded by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South Senatorial District.
The explanation rose tempers with uproar as the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau and the Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi quickly rushed to meet the Senate President to whisper to his ears on the next line of action.
Akpabio’s move for the screening of the nominee to be stepped down through a voice vote was greeted with confusion, hence, the Chamber was torn apart
Standing on his feet amid the confusion, Senate President made reference to the relevant section of Senate Rules to restore sanity. Senate Leader, Opeyemi thereafter moved a motion for the dissolution of the Chamber into an executive session.
The motion for the Chamber to dissolve into executive session was adopted through a voice vote.
