ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Senate has confirmed Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The confirmation, which took place on Thursday, followed his appearance before the lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber, where he responded to various questions during the screening session.
Vanguard reports that Dr. Udeh was ushered into the Senate Chamber for screening at about 12:15 p.m. by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly (Senate) Matters.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier, on Tuesday, forwarded Udeh’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President’s request was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu, in the letter, stated that the nomination was made in accordance with Section 147 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Amupitan As New INEC Boss
The President’s letter partly read: “I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, SAN, for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest regards.”
Dr. Udeh’s nomination followed the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, who was the only cabinet member from Enugu State in Tinubu’s administration.
Nnaji resigned last month amid controversies surrounding his academic credentials, including a certificate allegedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and issues regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
His exit left Enugu State without a representative in the Federal Executive Council, a vacuum now filled by Dr. Udeh’s confirmation.
Udeh, who currently serves as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, was recently elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Following the reading of the President’s letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration, after which the lawmakers approved his appointment.