The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday suspended the confirmation process for Kingsley Udeh (SAN), the nominee proposed by Bola Tinubu to represent Enugu State as minister, citing that his security clearance from the relevant agencies is still pending.
Udeh’s nomination followed the resignation of former minister Uche Nnaji from the post of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, a vacancy created amid allegations concerning his academic credentials.
When President Tinubu’s letter, formally nominating Udeh, was read on Tuesday, the Senate referred the name to its Committee of the Whole for the required screening under Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates Senate approval for ministerial appointments.
However, during Wednesday’s plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members noted the absence of a security-agency clearance report and determined that proceeding without it would violate established Senate procedures. Some senators indicated the nominee might soon present the required document, but others opposed the delay of the screening.
Consequently, the Senate entered a closed-door session to handle other legislative business, with Udeh’s confirmation now indefinitely on hold until the security clearance is submitted.
