By Our Correspondent
The Appropriations Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, January 30, was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session for 10:00 a.m., underscoring the significance of the engagement.
Several senators arrived at the venue, Room 224, shortly after 10:00 a.m. and waited patiently until about 12:30 p.m. without the commencement of the meeting.
Tension arose when Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) openly expressed displeasure over the prolonged delay, questioning why the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Ogun West), would keep about 15 of his colleagues waiting for nearly three hours, particularly on a Friday when Muslim lawmakers needed to observe Juma’at prayers.
Aliero, who was among the 15 senators present, stated that they could no longer continue waiting for their colleague under the circumstances and suggested that the meeting be postponed.
He further asked if any of the senators had Senator Olamilekan’s private phone number to notify him of their decision to leave, as the time for Friday prayers was fast approaching.
The Vice Chairman of the committee and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), was informed of the senators’ intention to disperse. Monguno promptly rushed to the venue and appealed to them to remain patient until 12:40 p.m.
Shortly after the grace period elapsed, Senator Olamilekan arrived at the venue, apologized to his colleagues, and took full responsibility for the delay.
The Appropriations Committee Chairman attributed the incident to a mix-up in the meeting time, offering a profuse apology to the senators.
He thanked his “very distinguished colleagues” for their patience despite the late start, explaining that the delay resulted from an unfortunate scheduling confusion, which he deeply regretted.
“I do not want to shift responsibility or give excuses. As chairman of the committee, I take full responsibility for whatever might have happened,” he said.
According to him, he had prepared early for the meeting but was later informed by the committee secretariat that the meeting was scheduled for noon.
“I thought the meeting was for 11:00 a.m. By 10:00 a.m., I was already on my way when I was told that the meeting was actually fixed for 12:00 noon. I am very sorry, my distinguished colleagues,” he added.
He further vowed that disciplinary action would be taken within the committee secretariat over the incident.
In his haste to commence the meeting upon arrival, the chairman reportedly omitted the opening prayer until his attention was drawn to the oversight.
