Balarabe explains why he collapsed during screening

Nigerian minister-designate, Abbas Balarabe, has offered an explanation for his sudden collapse during Senate screening on Wednesday, citing exhaustion as the primary cause.

PoliticsNow had earlier reported that Balarabe, a nominee hailing from Kaduna State, was undergoing the rigorous screening process for a ministerial position when he unexpectedly fainted.

The Senate promptly suspended proceedings and summoned medical professionals to provide immediate care to Balarabe. In response to the situation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio took measures to limit media coverage by instructing journalists to exit the plenary session.

In a subsequent interview, Balarabe clarified that his collapse was primarily a result of extreme fatigue. He disclosed that he had experienced a sleepless night while preparing for his screening and had traveled a considerable distance from Kaduna for the occasion. The demands of the nomination process had kept him occupied throughout the night.

“It is essentially exhaustion,” he explained. “I received news of my nomination just yesterday, and I had to make the journey from Kaduna. My schedule was quite hectic, and I attended to various tasks throughout the night.”

Balarabe expressed his gratitude to the Senate for their understanding and support during the incident, noting that he has since made a full recovery and is feeling much better.

“What I experienced was simply a case of exhaustion, which can happen to anyone,” he emphasized.

This statement by Minister Abbas Balarabe sheds light on the incident, highlighting the physical toll of the rigorous screening process and the importance of acknowledging exhaustion in high-stress situations. It also underscores the Senate’s swift and responsible reaction to ensure the well-being of the nominee.