Bow-and-go normal tradition in Senate, says Yari

Former governor of Zamfara Senate, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari, on Tuesday, responded to criticisms trailing the take-a-bow-and-go tradition employed by lawmakers at the ongoing screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees.

“Yes, take-a-bow-and- go is a tradition. Anybody you would have seen, ‘take a bow and go’, is for the prominent citizens that served the country for a long time…or their track record is known to every Nigerian,” Yari told State House correspondents after an audience with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

He also said the nominees’ responses had been “satisfactory” so far, adding that the Senate would ensure that square pegs were put in square holes.

“So far, those that we went through have answered questions satisfactorily and we are going to do our best to ensure that we put them on for the job.

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“We are doing our best through what has been presented to us as we ask you questions according to your discipline and what we expect from you.

“For instance, if you know of water resources, finance, education, and health issues, we centre our questions on what your profession is,” he said.

Yari explained the screening method further saying, “The National Assembly has a tradition. If you served as a senator or an Honourable member, it’s an honour to read your CV and maybe explain yourself, which they all have the record to ask you to take a bow and go.

“But where we need to do a thorough job for Nigerians, we do it. We are doing our best to thoroughly interrogate the nominees who decide the fate of Nigerians.”

Out of the 14 nominees screened on Monday, seven were asked to take a bow and go, with others grilled for some minutes with questions on security, infrastructure and date of birth, among others.

Those who enjoyed the bow-and-go tradition were a two-term of House of Representatives member, Abubakar Momoh, from Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State; Senator Abubakar Kyari; former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; a member of the 8th Senate, John Enoh; and the immediate Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru.

Others included a former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Nkiru Onyejiocha, who represented Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State and former member, House of Representatives and Nigeria Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar.