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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Mayaki has commended the efforts of the Senate to jettison their recess, work on Friday and Saturday to complete the screening of President Bola Tinubu ministerial nominees.
Mayaki was reacting to criticisms that the exercise was not thorough and that it was merely “bow and go”.
Mayaki said: “It’s regrettable that some Nigerians who lack a deep understanding of the workings of the National Assembly hold misconceptions about the tradition of “bow and go” during the ongoing ministerial screening process.
Contrary to popular misunderstanding, the practice of “bow and go” is not unique to the Nigerian parliament; it is a customary practice observed globally, as affirmed by Mayaki.
However, a segment of the Nigerian populace, unfamiliar with the nuances of parliamentary procedures, expressed surprise at the Red Chamber’s decision to maintain the “bow and go” tradition, despite its initial promise of a thorough screening. It is worth noting that the screening process remains comprehensive, and any notion of leniency merely reflects a misunderstanding. Rather than expecting confrontations, the Red Chamber is diligently performing its duty to scrutinize nominees, even though some skeptics may mistakenly assume otherwise.
Mayaki said the screening wasn’t an opportunity for the lawmakers to engage in fisticuffs with the ministerial nominees.
“The process of screening involves more than just public questioning, adding that nominees’ backgrounds, qualifications and experiences are reviewed extensively before they even reach the public screening stage, he said..
He added: “It was observed that Senators base their decisions on nominees’ qualifications, expertise, and track record, rather than being swayed by bias or political considerations.
“The notion that the process has become ritualistic doesn’t necessarily negate its importance. A formal process helps ensure that nominees meet certain basic standards before proceeding to serve in ministerial roles.
“Senators prioritise relevant and substantive information during the screening, rather than considering every public petition that might not always be well-founded or pertinent to the nominee’s capabilities. They also aimed for a balance between rigorous questioning and maintaining a respectful environment for nominees, ensuring that the process doesn’t devolve into a mere spectacle being the expectation of some persons.
“Some degree of political consideration is inevitable, as ministers are part of the government, and their alignment with the administration’s goals is a relevant aspect of the evaluation. Senators aimed to ensure that the screening process maintains a level of dignity for the nominees, avoiding unnecessary public humiliation or sensationalism, this is where maturity comes to play.
“Lets not forget that the process is designed to be transparent and that nominees are accountable for their responses during the screening and that any serious allegations could be addressed through appropriate channels. And so, the screening process still serves the purpose of allowing the public to see how nominees handle pressure and questions, even if not every single question or petition is entertained”, Mayaki said.
