Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has been praised for his tactful management of the screening of ministerial nominee, Bosun Tijani on Saturday at the National Assembly Complex.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial District had tackled Tijani about a controversial tweet he made over four years ago.
The lawmaker grilled Tijani, one of the 48 ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu, when he appeared before the Senate for screening on Saturday.
“On the 21st of July 2019, Dr Bosun tweeted against Nigeria that he does not appreciate the Nigerian passport and Nigeria as a nation,” the Oyo Senator referenced.
The lawmaker asked the nominee to clarify whether he still believes in Nigeria and the country’s passport.
In his response, Tijani said he is very passionate about Nigeria and he is committed to the country’s development.
He added that he tweeted as a result of a frustrating experience he had with the Chinese Embassy.
“I tweeted in anger,” the ministerial nominee from Ogun State admitted.
After intervention from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Elisha Abbo and Senator Solomon Adeola, Tijani however apologised over the tweets after which the Senate asked him to “take a bow and go.”
The session, however, was greeted with viral appreciation for the conflict resolution skills of Akpabio who displayed calmness and subtlety over a strained situation.
@omojuwa: Akpabio is a troll. Lol. His sense of humour helps.
@topsino48: His calmness in what looks like very difficult situations is really impressive
@abdulslimzy: He’s calm, lenient and have sense of sympathy toward everyone who has visited the senate for the screening.
He doesn’t want to be one of the reasons why none of them passed the test.
@dupssyayi: He did well to help Bosun. Also, Sen Abbo spoke passionately to support him.
@abdul_azezy: All of us are fathers except senator kinikan kuta????????
His sense of humour is top notch