The Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, on Wednesday prevented Presidential aide, Dele Alake from reciting the second stanza of the National Anthem as a drama ensued during his screening as a ministerial nominee on the floor of the Senate.
Alake was asked by the Minority leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwom, to recite the second stanza of the National anthem after taking the nominee up on his old social media post.
Mwadkwom said, “I read a statement where you labeled some particular party as wild dogs, selling blood online. Are you aware of that statement? Did you say that?
“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.”
The minority leader added, “Mr President, if you would allow me, I will like for the nominee to recite the second stanza of the National anthem.”
However, Akpabio and the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele protected the nominee from answering any of the questions.
In response, the Senate leader said, “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 said, “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.”
Similarly, in his defense, the Senate President said campaigns were over and such issues should be ignored.
Akpabio in response said nominees were supposed to tell the Senate what they would bring to the table and not to sing songs.
