Drama Unfolds as Kaduna State Ministerial Nominee Collapses During Senate Screening

A dramatic scene unfolded during the Senate screening of the Kaduna State ministerial nominee, Abbas Balarabe, as he suddenly collapsed after delivering his presentation to the lawmakers. The incident occurred just as one of the Kaduna senators was heaping praise upon him.

The unexpected collapse prompted an urgent response from Senate President GodsWill Akpabio, who yelled for assistance, saying, “Bring water and sugar. Call Dr. Musa.” Following this distressing event, Akpabio swiftly called for a closed-door session to address the situation.

Abbas Balarabe had been nominated as a replacement for the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, a move conveyed in a letter read by Akpabio during the plenary on Tuesday. Balarabe’s name was presented alongside Dr. Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande, who were nominated as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths, respectively, by the President.

Notably, Balarabe, a former Secretary to the Kaduna State government, had previously been appointed in April to lead a 65-member transition committee ahead of Uba Sani’s swearing-in.

This incident marks a striking development in the ongoing ministerial appointments, especially considering the Senate’s earlier refusal in August to confirm the nominations of El-Rufai and other candidates. Out of the 48 nominees initially sent by the President, 45 were successfully confirmed as ministers.