Yari Speaks On President Tinubu’s Ministerial Nominees

Senator Abdulaziz Yari on Tuesday defended the “bow and go” practice utilized in the screening of ministerial nominees.

This tradition, he explained to State House reporters, is a mark of respect for eminent citizens with a record of national service.

Yari further stated that anyone who has served the nation extensively or whose accomplishments are known to Nigerians is entitled to this tradition.

Those who have served as senators or members of the house have the honour of presenting their CV and explaining their experience before being asked to bow and leave.

He said, “Yes, take a bow and go is a tradition. Anybody you would have seen, ‘Take a Bow and Go’, is for the prominent citizens that served the country for a long… or his or her track record is known to every Nigerian.

“The National Assembly has a tradition, if you served as a senator or an Honourable member, it’s an honour to read your CV and maybe explain yourself which they all have the record to ask you to take a bow and go.

“But where we need to do a thorough job for Nigerians, we used to do it, and you can see. So, we are doing our best to ensure that we thoroughly interrogate the nominees and decide their fate of Nigerians.”

Despite some criticisms, Yari argued that when necessary, thorough scrutiny is still applied by the lawmakers.

They are committed to a rigorous interrogation of the nominees and making decisions that reflect the interests of Nigerians.

He applauded the quality of the nominees submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing their responses to the parliament’s questions as “satisfactory.”

Yari emphasized the parliament’s commitment to making appointments based on expertise and appropriateness for the role, not just experience or credentials.

He added, “So far, those that we went through, they have answered questions satisfactorily. We are doing our best through what has been presented to us as we ask you questions according to your discipline, and what we are expecting from you. For instance, if you know of water resources, issues of finances, education, and health, we centre our questions on what your profession is.

“It’s not about having credentials, not only having experience but sometimes it’s about the office you are holding. So, you have to do your own best.”