The senate is currently in a rowdy session over a motion seeking to step down the screening of Festus Keyamo as ministerial nominee.
Darlington Nwokocha, representing Abia central, moved the motion on Monday when Keyamo appeared before the lawmakers.
The lawmaker said Keyamo ignored the summon of parliament in 2022 over the employment scheme of 774,000 Nigerians recruited for the special public works programme.
Keyamo was minister of labour and employment from 2019 to 2023 in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He had accused the lawmakers of attempts to blackmail him.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia south, supported Nwokocha’s motion to step down Keyamo’s screening.
When Godswill Akpabio, senate president, put the issue to a voice vote, the ‘nays’ were just as loud as the ‘ayes’ as a rancorous session ensued.
The senate has dissolved into a closed session to resolve the issue, with the media asked to leave the gallery.
