There are indications that senators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and those belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are preparing for a showdown over the confirmation of some ministerial nominees.
The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting in which they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.
A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, the PDP in the 2015 general elections.
The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP
.
After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused to speak to newsmen.
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However, some who spoke on condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.
It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.
After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC
.
During Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any questions. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to be held today. The ruling of the Senate president will be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division. It is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.