The publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Mohammed broke the ice and boredom at the Nigerian Senate Tuesday afternoon, by doing what all the ministerial nominees before him forgot to do.
After he was ushered into the Senate chambers, Mohammed, decked in the Yoruba attire of agbada, did not just go to the podium where he was supposed to face questioning by the senators, but he walked gingerly into the middle of the chambers and bowed for the senators. He took the bow four times, making the members break into laughter.
With the eruption of laughter behind him, he then faced the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, from his state of Kwara, and also bowed four times. The laughter in the upper chamber even became much louder.
The Senators could not conceal their hilarious reactions at the comics of the man who had been the voice of the All Progressives Congress since 2013 and before then, the Action Congress of Nigeria since 2007. They were coming into contact for the first time, with the second side of the APC spokesman: that he could make people laugh.
Senate majority leader, Ali Ndume moved a motion that Mohammed should not be bothered to face any screening. He said he should just take another bow and go.
But Senate President, Bukola Saraki said Mohammed should still be allowed to perform the rituals of screening: tell the senators about who is he and and so on.
Mohammed spoke briefly, saying : “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 10 years as a spokesman for the opposition party, but it is better and more comfortable to be in government. It is a service to be in opposition, but it is more service to be in government. We will not be as harsh as we were in opposition. Our mission and vision will be commitment and patriotism as we were when we were in the opposition.”
His remark drew another round of laughter and pockets of disapproval from some parts of the Senate.
But matters were resolved when minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, referred the senators to a standing motion, which he amended. He said Mohammed should still be made to say something before going.
“We are sure that before he leaves here, he will drop at least two propaganda,” Akpabio said amidst thunderous laughter by members of the chamber.
Muhammed then promised to be committed as a minister and to the nation, after the Senate approval.
He was then told to take a final bow by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.