Saraki defies PDP Senators threat - Confirms Rotimi Amaechi as Minister

The former Governor of Rivers State, Rt Honorable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, was today confirmed as a minister after a dramatic two weeks in the Nigerian Senate.


Hon. Amaechi’s screening process by the Senate was postponed three times because of growing dissent by Senators from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) against him.

Earlier, it was reported that Senators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threatened to remove their support from Senate the President Bukola Saraki if he continued with the process if his confirmation.

However, the PDP Senators in today's proceeding staged a dramatic walkout from the Senate Chambers allowing for APC members to confirm Mr. Amaechi.  PDP leaders had demanded that Mr. Amaechi not be confirmed until the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges publish their report on his conduct while in office in Rivers State. The committee had stalled because it claimed Mr. Amaechi has a case in court, and his confirmation would be "subjudice."