Ministerial nominee Balarabe Lawal, slumps during Senate screening

A ministerial nominee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, slumped while being screened by the Senate on Wednesday, sparking frantic scenes in the Chamber.

The nominee, who is from Kaduna State, had spoken for several minutes during his screening before falling to the floor with several lawmakers rushing to his aid.

Lawal is one of the three new ministerial nominees being screened by the Senate, with others being Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim from Kwara State and Mr Ayodele Olawande from Ondo State.

He was the second nominee to be screened after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to extend the sitting time beyond 2 pm to conclude all the items for the day.

He had finished making his presentation to the lawmakers and was about taking questions from them when he fell to the floor.

The Senate immediately went into closed door session while efforts are being made to revive the nominee who is still inside the chamber.