Why Senators Did Not Grill Ex-Gov, Wike — Akpabio

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has clarified why the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike faced a less rigorous interrogation during the ministerial nominees screening.

Akpabio pointed to Wike’s experience as both a governor and a minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan as the reason.

Following Wike’s brief profile reading and a subsequent appeal by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers), the former Rivers governor was asked to “bow and go”.

Akpabio highlighted Wike’s previous track record, including his tenure as a minister, as the basis for this decision.

Akpabio stated, “Having been nominated again for a ministerial position, there is no point asking him many questions,” noting that Wike had previously appeared before the Senate for screening when he was nominated as a minister by ex-President Jonathan.

Recall that President Tinubu sent the list of 28 ministerial nominees to the Senate on Thursday, July 27, through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Earlier, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, spoke highly of the former governor. Barau was amazed by the transformative work Wike did in Rivers State.

“The first time, I got to River State; I was shocked because of the impact of the work that you did in the state,” Barau stated, and added, “In fact, I thought I was abroad and not in Nigeria. Will you be able to replicate the same work if you were confirmed as a Minister?”

Wike who was accompanied by his wife, was spotted at the National Assembly complex on Monday.