Hard Political Lesson for Keyamo

Notes for File

Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was last Monday taught the political lesson of his life.

Keyamo, a ministerial nominee, was forced to eat the humble pie as he profusely apologised to the 10th Senate over his previous conduct towards the 9th National Assembly.

 Earlier, Keyamo’s screening had caused a stir on the floor of the senate after several senators rose up in opposition to Keyamo’s nomination following his perceived insubordination to the legislative body over his action as a minister during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The crux of the dispute was his alleged refusal to appear before the lawmakers to give the account of the handling of the Public Works Programme conceived by the Buhari government to engage 774,000 unskilled workers for six months.

Keyamo had allegedly engaged in a showdown with the lawmakers.

However, as the Senate resumed on Monday evening, Keyamo appologised for the faceoff. He explained that after the faceoff in 2021, he had approached te chairmen of the two House committees of Labour to make peace.

Senator Akwashiki confirmed his claim.

 Keyamo had explained that no money accrued to him as the payments were made directly to the beneficiaries by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as directed by Buhari.

 He said: “Like I said, I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry for that misunderstanding,” Keyamo said.

Following the apology and upon a motion raised by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, he was asked to take a bow and go. No questions were directed to him concerning the screening as a move by one senator to allow senators to ask him questions was opposed by other senators who said his apology was enough.

The lesson for him was that in politics, he should not claim to know everything or give any impression that he disrespects the National Assembly, no matter the support he receives from the president. But for a pliable Senate, he would have missed the opportunity to return to government due to his unnecessary exuberance.