An effort to embarrass the president’s media aide, Dele Alake was thwarted by the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio and Opeyemi Bamidele on Wednesday.
When Alake was called up for screening, the Senate Minority leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwom first threw an old caustic social media post of the nominee at him, seeking for him to own up to it or deny it.
He said, “I read a statement where you labelled some particular party as wild dogs, selling blood online. Are you aware of that statement? Did you say that?
He continued by asking Alake to recite the second stanza of the National Anthem.
He said, “As someone who will be the image maker if eventually appointed by Mr. President as the Minister of Information of this country, we are supposed to be conversant with our National Anthem.
“Mr President, if you would allow me, I will like for the nominee to recite the second stanza of the National anthem.”
Before Alake could respond, Akpabio and the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, stepped in, protecting him from answering any of the questions.
Mwadkwom protested, saying, “I have come under order 12 and it is important that this is stated. No senator shall stand up to talk to other senators unless to call attention to a point of order or privilege arising.
“(B) Order 55, section 12 make provision that a standing senator may be interrupted.”
Bamidele responded by saying, “The issue was raised because the Senate leader raised an order on campaigns.
“We are screening a ministerial nominee; we cannot be bringing an issue of a political party which was done under pressure months ago.”
The Senate President backed Bamidele. He said the campaigns were over and such issues should be ignored.
Akpabio further said nominees were supposed to tell the Senate what they would bring to the table and not to sing songs.
