Ekoidumota: Ministerial Screening: I have never taken bribe

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday finally screened the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as minister along with four other ministerial nominees.

The former Governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi, appeared before the senate for screening as a ministerial nominee, condemning acts of corruption and revealed that had never taken bribe in his life either as a private person or public official.

Amaechi who was asked to define corruption replied with a confusing definition. He said , “Corruption is very difficult to define. If you are a public officer and you don’t take bribe, I’ve never taken bribe in my life but if they send a girl to you and you sleep with the girl and do her favour, you are corrupt.”

According to him, “Corruption is a very wide concept. If people are contesting for a position and you offer your son, brother or sister an opportunity to hold that position, probably the person is not qualified, you are corrupt. So, it is difficult for me to define.

PDP senators chose not to ask him any question as he was been screened on the floor of the House.

This is the minute-by-minute screening as reported by naij.com

12:30: Saraki asks Amaechi (Rivers state) to introduce himself.

Amaechi says: “I happen to be one of the first speakers and also served as a governor in my state for 8 years.”

12:35: Amaechi says: “Under my leadership as governor of Rivers state, we redefined governance.”

Amaechi says: ”If I am confirmed as a minister, I will bring my experience as a former political office holder to bear in government.”

After speaking about his achievements, Senate Minority leader Godswill Akpabio informs the Senate that PDP senators have no questions for the ministerial nominee Rotimi Amaechi at least for now.

12:43: The Senate Majority Leader Ali Ndume has suggested that Amaechi should be allowed to bow and go because he is a former speaker in his state. This has triggered uproar in the Senate.

12:46: Senate President Bukola Saraki however calls for order in the House and so questions are now been forwarded to Amaechi after the mild arguments.

12:53: Amaechi says: “All we did in the Governors Forum was to defend the rights of Nigerians.”

12:55: Amaechi says: “I was born to test my right and defend my right. I was once a student union leader and i’m one man that don’t like corruption.”

13:00: Amaechi on advise on upcoming politicians: “I don’t have an advise for upcoming politicians because Nigerian politicians believe there is need for compromise but not when it clashes with principles.”

13:01: Amaechi says: “If legislators want the president to assign portfolios to nominees then it should be included in the constitution.”

13:03: Amaechi says: “‘I believe there are resources in the Niger-Delta, that is why there is Militancy.”

13:04: Amaechi says: ”If I become the minister of Niger Delta, the East/West will be the first to be completed.”

13:07: Sen. Wammako asks Amaechi what will he do in his first hundred days in office if confirmed as ministers, Senator Sani asks Amaechi to define corruption and Senator Ashafa asks Amaechi to address corruption charges levelled against him, while Senator Abubakar asks Amaechi to suggest way forward towards curbing the menace of unemployment.

13:12: Amaechi says: “Mining is one area God has blessed us that we need to invest. We also need to invest in Education.”

13:15: Amaechi says: “Nigeria cannot sustain itself with only proceeds from oil.

13:17: Amaechi says: “We must improve on the Social Rights of the people; if you have peace you’ll have investors.”

13:19: Amaechi says: “Why people don’t invest in Nigeria is because the cost of investment is higher than the profit.”

13:19: Amaechi says: “Danjuma Goje came to my house one day to shout at me and he said, “have you ever been a senator before, have you ever been a minister before”, now i want to be a minister, after that, i will be a senator.”

13:20: Amaechi on corruption: “I have never taken bribe.”

13:21: Amaechi says: “If they send a girl to you to do something for her and you sleep with the girl, you are corrupt. If you offer your child or family member you know is not qualified. My family and i slept in one room because i did what was right I hate corruption. Corruption is hard to define.

13:22: Amaechi says: “A Nigerian is his own government because he provides his own power and security.”

13:23: Amaechi says: “There is nowhere i was indicted.”

The Senate then adjourns plenary to Tuesday, October 27th after screening four other nominees namely Senator Heineken Lopkobiri, Claudius Daramola, Ocholi Enojo James and Baba Shehuri Mustapha while the screening of former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, a ministerial nominee from Osun state, earlier billed to be screened has been deferred to next week.