Professor Dora Akunyili at last, survived a major scare today during the senate screening of ministerial nominees.Her  screening expectedly  ran into troubled waters as senator Kanti-Bello from Katsina state accused her of being a member of the Turai YarAdua cabal because she used to cook for Turai YarAdua..He also said her actions in the recent past did not portray her as a nation builder-he accused her of being divisive.

Akunyili specifically denied being a member of the cabal.She also denied ever cooking food  for Turai YarAdua.Her attempts to explain her actions encountered problems as the senate chambers became rather rowdy.She had to briefly say she has always been a nationalist."I have always been a nationalist'' she said ,citing the example of when she was in NAFDAC.She said "the people that were supposed to be involved in drug counterfeiting were my own people but I did not spare them".Akunyili categorically said "I never cooked for Madam ..Again I was not in anyway part of the cabal.But I want to state here very clearly that Presidnt YarAdua,my boss, my big brother....and everybody know he is a fine gentleman.But when we started having issues, when we started having problems"(A rowdy session interrupted her at this point) She told the nation that YarAdua was a good spirited person .She is loyal to him ,loyal to the country and loyal to Nigeria.It was almost 6pm and the senate president asked her to take a bow and go and she did.

Earlier, Senator Kanti Bello's emotions seemed to have  overwhelmed him and issues bordering on points of order were raised by another senator.The senate President David Mark actually called the Senator from Katsina to order.But the senate chambers became rowdy as Akunyili began to answer questions.In fact another drama unfolded as Senator TeslimFolarin  The senate majority Leader moved for the senate to seat beyond 6.00pm.This was sEconded by senator Maaji Lawal.But when Mark put  the issue to the Senate, the nays had the day and Mark so ruled after he asked the same question  thrice

Somehow, she had it easier than many had feared.There  had been speculations over the weekend that some senators were determined to ensure Akunyili would not scale through during the screening .But she survived .It would appear that the plot to make Senator Joy Emordi  -who was last week sacked from the senate by a court -replace Akunyil has failed with Akunyili's screening today.

Akunyili was the last senator screened today.Two others had appeared earlier namely:Mrs Fidelia Njeze and Prince Adetokunbo Kayode .

The senate screening continues Tuesday as it reconvenes at 10.AM. A meeting of senators from the South east was expected shortly after the end of today's session.

Related story  ......Senators  deny plot to dump Akunyili