The Nigerian Senate blocked a petition against the nomination of the former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, when he appeared for screening at plenary on Tuesday.
El-Rufai, who was number three on the list of nominees to be screened today, appeared and addressed the upper legislative chamber on his political and educational profiles and also on his struggle for a democratic society, which, however, turned awry against him and forced him to go into exile.
As Senators took turns to speak on the nominee, a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Karimi, drew the attention of senators and the nominee to a petition against him, which he said, was being submitted in line with the parliamentary rules.
Karimi said: “Mr Nominee, you did well in your previous offices, and there is no doubt about that, but there is a petition against you.”
He raised an envelope, which he submitted to the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who was presiding at the time El-Rufai was being questioned.
Barau, who felt uncomfortable with the submission of the Kogi lawmaker, faulted the manner in which the petition was submitted to the chamber.
Amid the rowdy session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio took over the chair and said: “Distinguished colleagues, perhaps I have to inform all of you that I have received similar petitions from people against other nominees, but this is not where we are to deal with petitions.
