Akpabio Provides Update On Ministerial Nominee’s Condition After Fainting During Screening

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has provided an update regarding the health of Balarabe Abbas Lawal, a ministerial candidate, who fainted during his Senate screening on Wednesday.

Balarabe was the second nominee being screened that day, after Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim.

He fainted 15 minutes into his presentation at the Senate plenary session.

While standing on the podium, Balarabe lost consciousness while Senator Sunday Marshall Katung of Kaduna South was discussing Balarabe’s administrative experience in Kaduna.

This happened just after Balarabe finished presenting his profile to the senators.

Senator Katung was endorsing Balarabe’s ministerial nomination, stating that all three senators from Kaduna state had no objections to his nomination, when Balarabe collapsed.

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This prompted Akpabio to call for water and sugar to be given to Balarabe.

Akpabio then asked for the removal of journalists and cameras from the Senate chamber, and the live stream of the screening was stopped.

Later, before inviting the final candidate, Ayodele Olawande, for screening, Akpabio shared that Balarabe had confessed to being very tired due to overworking in the days leading up to the screening.

Despite this, Balarabe had insisted on continuing with the screening, stating that he felt fine. However, Akpabio called the final candidate, Olawande, for screening instead.