Ministerial screening will not be about who you like or don’t like says Saraki

The Senate President , Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday, said the screening of the ministerial-nominees by the Senate would not be a business as usual.

Also Senator Saraki said that Tuesday’s screening of the Ministerial nominees would be live streamed.

Saraki who led a six man delegation to the Ikenne home of late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo over the death of the matriach of the family, HID Awolowo, described her death as a great loss.

Saraki who was accompanied by Senators Sheu Sanni (Kaduna) Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo) , Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti) , Gbolahan Dada (Ogun) and Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun) said she decided to lead the delegation because of the respectable he has for the Awolowo family.

While fielding questions from newsmen on the expectation of Nigerians on the screening of the ministerial nominees, Saraki assured that the constitution would be followed to the latter.

He said “We have said that for the eight Senate, it is not going to be business as usual, what I can assure you is that we will go with the constitution, the rules, we will put Nigeria first, screening will be done with level of seriousness and what we are all about is our constitutional responsibility to ensure that we find people who are fit enough to be Ministers and particularly this time, to give President Buhari the support he requires.

“It is not about who you like or who you don’t like and I want to assure Nigerian that, that will not be the basis, it will be based on the constitution and based on ability and our own assessment of capacity of the nominees to perform.

“And I assure you that individual differences would not be an issue at all, and we have spoken with Senators and told them that. At this moment of time, we have made sure that as much as possible, we share with the public, we try to ensure that all will be covered live so that everybody can see, we will not be screening from our bedrooms and sitting rooms as well along with the Senators, you’re rest assured that we will do a good job Nigerians would be proud of”.

While commiserating with the family of Awolowo, Saraki who was received by the two surviving children of HID Awolowo, Omotola Oyediran and Tokunbo Awolowo, said HID Awolowo was the only woman that had sustained the dream of her husband in the country.

He said ” Normally, as our tradition, we send a delegation, but, for Mama she deserved this even more is for the entire Senate represented by the presiding officers to be here in person I lead that delegation. That is why I am here in person representing entire eight Senate.

“The country, not the family that has lost a great person, she was a great person because since the death of Papa for so many years she continued the life of virtues and his dreams and she sustained over many years, she showed that she was a uniting factor not only in South West, but, Nigeria in general.

” I can say that, because, just few months ago, we were here during the period of our campaign and I don’t think there had been a campaign in this country that no politician will not stop here to pay respect and honour. She earned that ,because, we have many wives and mothers who, after their husbands passed out, have not been able to sustain the dream, I think she has shown herself that in the entire country she is the only person that has been able to achieve that, that is a great achievement.

“As we mourn we also celebrate the great life she has lived. I remember when we were here we thought we would come to celebrate her 100 years but, that shows that we must believe the power of the Almighty God. It is not we that decide some of these things when they happen, but, she lived a great life, she is someone we should be proud of not only here, but, also in Nigeria .

” I don’t see if there is any wife or mother in the entire country, wife of a leader or politician that does what she has done , some years after her husband has gone she continued to sustain the dreams”.

Also Senator Saraki said that Tuesday’s screening of the Ministerial nominees would be live streamed.

In a statement by Saraki’s Special Assistant on New Media, Bamikole Omishore, he said that Bloggers and news organizations that are interested in Live Blogging or Live Tweeting, or those interested in plugging into the livestreaming of the Ministerial screening are asked to contact the New Media Office of the Senate President for entry passes to the National Assembly, and the Senate gallery.

He said that “All requests must be submitted by 5pm on Monday.”

The statement further said, “On Saturday, the 10th of October, 2015, the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria announced that the screening and confirmation process of the first batch of ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve in his cabinet shall be streamed live on the National Assembly website.

“Additionally, on Friday, the Senate through its official Twitter account @NGRSenate, has also announced that the general public would be able to send in questions they would like to ask nominees by forwarding same to their Senators using the hashtag: #MinisterialScreening. All questions must be received before 5pm on Monday.

“The @NGRSenate Twitter handle will also be providing live tweets throughout the screening process.

“Nigerians would recall that the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, took office amidst a pledge to reform the Senate and make its processes more transparent, inclusive and visible by employing e-Parliamentary technology in the Upper Chambers. Since then, the Senate President has tasked the Committee on Rules and Business to develop an e-Parliamentary system that can be employed at Senate Plenary sessions.

“This screening will create an avenue for Nigerians from all works of life to partake in governance, as the bridge between representatives and constituents will be bridged; with Senators asking questions sourced from Nigerians on Social Media.

“Additionally, the submitted resumes of candidates will be made available in the public space for Nigerians to examine.”