Amid tension on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, the Senate leadership overruled every Point Of Order to confirm controversial former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, as minister.
Obanikoro was among some other nominees whose names were submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan to the Senate.
The wide condemnation that followed his nomination, as well as the resolve of some senators to frustrate his confirmation made it impossible for the Senate to confirm him in the last two sittings where some other nominees were screened and confirmed.
There had been series of petitions written to the Senate against him, but these were by-passed by the Senate leadership.
At plenary on Wednesday, the Minority Leader of the Senate, George Akume, refused to mention Obanikoro as one of those to be screened by the upper legislative chamber, while Points of Order were raised by Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and Senator Babajide Omoware.
The last Point of Order was raised by Senator Ganiyu Solomon, but the Senate President asked Obanikoro to take a bow and go as is customary with former senators who are being screened for appointment by the President.
This angered the APC senators, who immediately staged a walk-out.
Obanikoro had been linked to the alleged rigging of the Ekiti State governorship election which saw Ayo Fayose emerging as winner ahead of incumbent Kayode Fayemi of the APC.
President Goodluck Jonathan recently said he was not going to investigate the issue because it is belated.
