There was a mild but dramatic moment in the Senate on Thursday as President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, stopped a ministerial nominee, Kingsley Udeh (SAN), from answering any question linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s explosive designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Udeh, who appeared before lawmakers for screening, was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned last month amid controversy over his academic qualifications.
Nnaji’s resignation left Enugu State without a representative in the Federal Executive Council, forcing the President to quickly send Udeh’s name to the Senate.
As proceedings began, Akpabio lightened the tension with a subtle but sharp instruction.
“The only question I will urge you to ignore is commenting on Trump,” he declared.
After Udeh’s brief introduction, Akpabio wasted no time.
“Is it the will of the Senate that the nominee, being versatile and not responding to questions on Trump, should take a bow?” he asked — before putting the question to a voice vote.
With a chorus of “Ayes,” Akpabio sealed the nominee’s confirmation.
Trump had recently accused Nigerian authorities of ignoring what he called “systematic persecution” and “genocide” against Christians, a statement that rattled Nigeria’s political class and split lawmakers along religious lines.
Earlier in the week, when the Senate tried to discuss Trump’s claims, Akpabio refused to be drawn into the controversy, simply quipping, “Who am I to reply Trump?”
