By Oluwatosin Maliki
Abbas Balarabe, the newly confirmed minister from Kaduna State has spoken about why he slumped during the ministerial screening before the senate.
The Kaduna State minister, while briefing newsmen explained that he had got news of his nomination on Tuesday and so, he stayed up all night to prepare adequately for his ‘big day’.
Further noting that he suffered from exhaustion.
However, after Balarabe slumped he was resuscitated by his colleagues and was able to proceed with his screening.
Balarabe said, “It is basically exhaustion. I got the news of my nomination on Tuesday and I had to come from Kaduna”.
“There were so many things to do which I attended to throughout the night. What happened today is as a result of pure exhaustion.”
“I want to thank the Senate for their understanding particularly the senators from my State (Kaduna) who have all gathered around me since yesterday and the medical team who took care of me.”
He expressed that he was feeling better, “I am alright now, nothing is wrong with me. What I experienced was pure exhaustion which can happen to anybody”.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, when Balarabe, the second nominee to face screening after Dr. Ibrahim, had just concluded recounting his experiences when the incident unfolded, approximately 15 minutes into the Senate plenary.
The minister had slumped on the podium as his colleagues rallied around him to revive him.
Following the presentation of his profile to the senators, Balarabe received an endorsement from the Kaduna lawmaker, affirming that all three senators from the state, supported his nomination.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio had urgently called out, “Bring water and sugar. Call Dr. Musa.”
Consequently, Akpabio directed journalists and cameramen to cease filming and exit the Senate chamber. Afterward, the nominee was subsequently taken to the National Assembly clinic.
After a break of about 45 minutes, the Senate reconvened and proceeded to confirm all three nominees.