Abbas Balarabe, the Kaduna State ministerial nominee, collapsed while undergoing his screening before the Senate. Balarabe had just completed his presentation to the lawmakers when he suddenly collapsed, causing a moment of alarm in the Senate chamber.

The incident occurred as one of the Kaduna senators was commending Balarabe during the screening process. Senate President GodsWill Akpabio reacted swiftly, calling for assistance, “Bring water and sugar.

Call Dr. Musa,” he shouted. Following this emergency, Akpabio swiftly moved to convene a closed-door session.

It’s worth noting that Abbas Balarabe had been nominated as a replacement for the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

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His nomination was conveyed in a letter read by Akpabio during a plenary session on Tuesday.

Balarabe’s name was announced alongside Dr. Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande, who were nominated as the Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths, respectively, by the President.

Abbas Balarabe, a former Secretary to the Kaduna State government, had previously been appointed in April to lead a 65-member transition committee ahead of Uba Sani’s swearing-in.

The Senate had earlier declined to confirm the nomination of Nasir El-Rufai, along with Stella Okotete (Delta State) and Abubakar Danlandi (Taraba State), back in August.

The President had submitted a total of 48 nominees to the Senate, of which 45 were approved as ministers.