The Senate, on Wednesday, halted the confirmation of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria due to the absence of a mandatory security clearance.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the upper chamber could not proceed without the required clearance from security agencies.
“The confirmation of the minister-nominee would have been next, but we need security clearance,” Akpabio said during plenary.
President Bola Tinubu submitted Udeh’s name to the Senate for approval as minister representing Enugu State.
The nomination followed the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down last month amid controversy over his academic qualifications.
Tinubu’s request, read by Akpabio on Tuesday, cited Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which authorizes the President to appoint ministers with Senate approval. Nnaji’s departure left Enugu State without representation in the Federal Executive Council, prompting the nomination of Udeh.
Although the Senate had referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening, the process stalled on Wednesday due to the pending clearance.
Akpabio hinted that Udeh might already be on his way to the National Assembly with the necessary documentation. However, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) objected, stressing that Senate procedures must be respected.
“This institution must be respected. You cannot wait for a nominee because he is bringing a security clearance. That’s not how it works,” Ningi said.
Akpabio responded that the Senate would not bend its rules nor delay its activities, noting humorously, “After screening them, you don’t see them again.”
The Senate subsequently moved into a closed-door session after the Senate Leader was directed to move a motion for an executive meeting to consider national matters, including Udeh’s stalled confirmation.