Breaking: Buhari Shuns Senate, Backs Keyamo; Showdown Looms

By Adesina Soyooye

The Presidency and the Senate may be heading for a showdown, unless frayed  nerves are quickly calmed.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister for State, Labour, had had a shouting match with the Senate over the recruitment of 774, 000 youths as ordered by the President.

But during an invitation  to the Senate to brief members on the modalities, they accused  the Minister of running a one-man show, thus, shutting even the NDE out. They had said it was the job of the NDE to carry out the recruitment.

Keyamo rejected their claim, and when he wanted to explain, the Senate had requested for a closed door meeting with him, without the Media. But Keyamo rejected that, arguing that having accused him before the Media, the Media should be present during his defence.

Not comfortable with that, they asked Keyamo out, threatening to report him to the President. A shouting match ensued, during which the Minister accused them of wanting to hijack the process for selfish reasons.

The Senate, thereafter, suspended the recruitment exercise. And even though the Minister for Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, had appeared before the Senate and apologised on behalf of Keyamo, neither the Senate not Keyamo shifted ground.

But Tuesday afternoon, the President gave his verdict, and took sides with his Minister, Keyamo.

Announcing his vindication in text messages to Media Houses, Keyamo quipped: “I have the instructions of my boss, Mr President, to proceed with the supervision of the preparation for the execution of the programme, in accordance with the law.”

Indeed, Keyamo had, earlier; told them that the exercise is a baby of the Executive arm of the Government, not that of the Legislative arm.

There has been no reaction from the Senate. Opinion, however, are there there is little the Senate can do to stop the exercise.