- Insists he is fit, okay and ready to work now
By Michael Olatunji
Nigerian Minister-nominee, Abbas Balarabe, has explained why he slumped on Wednesday, while he was being screened by the Senate for ministerial position in line with the rules.
Balarabe, from Kaduna State, who replaces former governor Nasir el-Rufai had stuned the whole nation when he slumped during screening on Wednesday, throwing the Nigerian Senate into momentary confusion and forcing
leading the senate to adjourn proceedings.
Balarabe Lawal slumped as he took questions from some of the senators after reading his CV.
The security officials rushed to his aid as the senators watched the unfolding scene in shock and disbelief.
The development has also being raising questions about the fitness of the nominee for the assignment at hand.
But Balarabe said he slumped because he was completely exhausted as he had a sleepless night preparing for his screening by the Senate.
“It is basically exhaustion. I got the news of my nomination yesterday 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,” he said.
Balarabe thanked the Senate for their understanding, particularly the senators from his State who had all rallied round him and the medical team who took care of him.”
He said he is alright now, and that nothing is wrong with him.
“What I experienced was pure exhaustion which can happen to anybody,” he said in an interview. Despite the scene created by Balarabe, the Senate went ahead to clear him as fit for appointment as Minister.
