Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, said he had lost hope of being appointed a minister in the President Bola Tinubu administration after the first and second batches of the ministerial nominees were submitted to the Senate.
The All Progressives Congress chieftain was made a subject of mockery online after failing to make the ministerial lists.
However, Tinubu, on Friday, August 4, sent his name to the Senate, the same day Maryam Shetty’s nomination was withdrawn.
Speaking during the ministerial screening on Monday, chaired by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Keyamo hailed Tinubu for appointing him a minister, noting that he had lost hope of becoming a minister.
The APC chieftain who said he has practised law for 30 years, said being nominated was just by the grace of God and the special benevolence of Tinubu.
According to Keyamo, he already packed his luggage and was about going on vacation with his family before he heard of his appointment.
He said, “My being here is by the grace of God and by the Special benevolence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I have lost hope of becoming a minister. I have already packed my bags for vacation with my family before I heard about my nomination as a minister. So I am happy to be here today.”