Festus Keyamo, in what can only be described as a defining moment during his ministerial nomination screening at the Nigerian Senate on Monday, declared his long-standing commitment to leveraging the “instrumentality of law” to advance the course of democracy.
Speaking to the Red-Chamber members, Mr. Keyamo provided a brief overview of the crucial role that law plays in forming democratic societies.
Keyamo, a renowned attorney and former minister of state for labour and employment, is well-versed in Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.
Asserting his belief that the law can be used to promote democracy, Keyamo gave a brief explanation of how he and other young lawyers fought for the release of rights activists during the National Democratic Coalition’s (NADECO) struggle for democracy in Nigeria at the time. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was leading this campaign from exile.
Keyamo emphasised his belief in the power of the law to advance accountability, fairness, and transparency values at the basis of a strong democracy.
Keyamo emphasised the significance of zealous upholders of democratic principles and the rule of law in light of Nigeria’s complex political landscape, noting that it was through his legal endeavours that he advanced to be chosen as a minister under the Buhari-led administration and adding that it is the impact made that has further given him the opportunity to be chosen by President Bola Tinubu to serve in his cabinet.
According to Channels Television news, the outspoken Senior Advocate made his remarks just before Darlington Nwokocha, a senator from the Abia Central Senatorial District, sponsored a motion to suspend the ministerial screening of Keyamo, which caused the Senate to briefly go nuts.
Nwokocha, who was upset, had charged Keyamo with insulting the 9th National Assembly and charging the previous Assembly with corruption.
Enyinnaya Abaribe, a senator from the Abia-South Senatorial District, seconded his proposal right away.
The proposal was then put to a voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, but the senators were split on the issue.
A boisterous session instantly broke out in the upper chamber. Opeyemi Bamidele, the majority leader in the Senate, requested a private meeting as the legislators were engaged in a contentious debate.
Akpabio stood up and said that the Senate would convene in closed session. He seemed clearly concerned.
Sulaimann (
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