-
Senate Pauses Kingsley Udeh Ministerial Confirmation Over Missing Security Clearance
-
Confirmation of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) halted pending mandatory security clearance
-
Senate President Akpabio emphasizes adherence to institutional procedures
The Senate of Nigeria on Wednesday suspended the confirmation of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) as a ministerial nominee due to the absence of a required security clearance.
Presiding over plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the chamber could not proceed with Udeh’s confirmation until the relevant security report was submitted.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
“The confirmation of the minister-nominee would have been next on the list, but we need security clearance,” Akpabio said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for ₦1.15 Trillion Domestic Borrowing
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded Udeh’s nomination from Enugu State, following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Nnaji stepped down amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials, leaving Enugu without representation in the Federal Executive Council.
Although one senator indicated that Udeh was on his way with the clearance letter, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) urged the chamber not to compromise procedural norms. “This is an institution. You can’t act because the nominee is coming with a security clearance letter. No, that’s not done,” Ningi said.
Akpabio clarified that the Senate would not wait indefinitely for documents after screening, and directed the Senate Leader to move a motion for a closed-door session to deliberate on national issues. The motion was seconded, and lawmakers dissolved into an executive session.
