In a surprising turn of events, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, a ministerial nominee from Kaduna State, on Wednesday collapsed during a screening process in the Senate Chamber.
Balarabe, one of the three nominees recently sent to the Senate for confirmation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was the second nominee to be screened after Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.
Despite appearing in good health earlier, Lawal suddenly fainted after delivering a brief speech and sharing some background information about himself.
The nominee, collapsed when Kaduna South Senator, Sunday Marshall Katung, was speaking about Balarabe’s administrative experience in Kaduna.
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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, immediately called for assistance, “Give him water, give him water and sugar.” and then instructed journalists and cameramen to exit while the live streaming of the screening was also halted.
It is gathered that a wheelchair was hurriedly brought to the Chambers as Balarabe could not be revived to walk unaided before Senator Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa North, rushed him to the National Assembly Clinic for medical attention.
Balarabe Abbas Lawal was nominated to take the place of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El Rufai.
Senator Katung had not finished his remarks when the nominee collapsed, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to shout,
The nominee was later being revived inside the Senate chamber at the time of filing this report. “The man is okay now,” one of the senators said.
However, the incident brings an unexpected twist to the ongoing ministerial confirmation hearings, because it is not clear whether the red chamber of the National Assembly will proceed with the screening with Balarabe.
