One of the ministerial nominees at Wednesday’s screening, Balarabe Lawal, claims his sudden collapse during the exercise at the Senate was as a result of exhaustion and that he is “alright now”.
Lawal, a Kaduna State native, was chosen alongside Jamila Ibrahim (Kwara) and Ayodele Olawande (Ondo) to join the 45 ministers previously authorised by the Red Chamber in August.
The screening followed President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate read on the floor of the legislative chamber on Tuesday, seeking its confirmation of the nominees.
However, as the screening went on, things took a dramatic turn when Lawal – the second to be called up after Ibrahim – collapsed after only concluding his introduction, causing several people present to rush to his aid.
About an hour and one closed session of the Senate later, the nominee exited the chamber wearing a wry smile.
“I’m alright now. I’ve been treated and I’m alright now. It was basically exhaustion,” he told journalists.
While the Kaduna native was unable to take questions due to the incident, his nomination was confirmed alongside his fellow nominees.