Senate confirms Kingsley Udeh’s appointment as minister

The senate has confirmed Kingsley Udeh, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and attorney-general of Enugu state, as a minister.

Udeh’s nomination was approved on Wednesday after senators scrutinised his professional background and responses to questions on key governance issues.

He assured lawmakers of his commitment to serve diligently if sworn into the federal executive council.

Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River south, asked how Udeh would cope if assigned to a ministry outside his legal expertise.

“If you are a good lawyer, you should be able to fit in, in any area of life. By the grace of God, my career and professional stints have spanned various aspects of life,” Udeh said.

Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, asked whether Udeh had declared his assets.

“In the course of my public service, I have always declared my assets in line with the constitution. And I have also undertaken that for this current national assignment,” Udeh said.

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, questioned Udeh on US President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”.

Udeh noted that the matter is being handled at the diplomatic level.

“His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already responding very well to that issue,” he said.

“Appointment of ambassadors and mobilising them immediately is crucial, because it is more a matter of diplomacy than law.”

Following the screening, senate president Godswill Akpabio put Udeh’s nomination to a voice vote, which was approved unanimously.

“Let me thank Mr President for the nomination of Dr Kingsley Udeh. He appears to be fit and proper to be a minister. He has acquitted himself as a well-bred Nigerian child, acknowledging his parents,” Akpabio said.

“I hope he will bring his wealth of experience to add value to the federal cabinet and realise the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.”