Ministerial screening: Nothing wrong with “Take a bow-and-go’, says Sen. Yari

Amid criticisms by the public of Senate’s “take a bow-and-go’ tradition of screening of ministerial nominees, a former Zamfara State Governor, Sen. Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has risen in stout defence of the upper legislative chamber, saying asking some nominees to take a bow-and-go’, is in order.

Yari told State House correspondents after meeting with Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday that the tradition is normal.

Sen. Yari had contested Senate Presidency and Chairman of Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly but lost to incumbent Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

Persecondnews had reported that of the 14 nominees screened on Monday, at ly seven were asked to take a bow while others were “grilled”.

Among those the lawmakers extended the courtesies to were former governors, House of Representatives and Senate members particularly those of the 8th and 9th Assemblies.

They are former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Senator John Enoh and the immediate past Governor of Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru.

Yari said:”The tradition is extended to prominent Nigerians who have served the country or those with track records.

“Whenever a thorough screening is needed, it is conducted.”

He, however, expressed satisfaction with the credibility and performance of the nominees at the screening, adding “we have thoroughly investigated their backgrounds”.

Yari said President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly would strive to put forward the best candidates as ministers.

On his mission in Aso Rock, the Senator said the visit was to congratulate and pray for the Vice-President following his inauguration.

“We have a long-time friendship starting from our days in the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) where we had only three state governors — Borno, Yobe and Zamfara — on the platform of the party.”