The newly confirmed minster, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has explained why he collapsed while undergoing screening on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

Wakadaily reported that the 65-year-old who replaced former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai suddenly slumped during his screening before the Senate on Wednesday.

Balarabe Abbas collapsed around 1:50 p.m. after he introduced himself and highlighted his achievements so far in the private and public sectors.

As soon as the incident occurred, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was heard saying, “Water, water! Can you give him sugar and water? Can someone bring water and sugar? Please, call Dr Wale!”, while he asked the cameramen to leave the chamber as the senators tried to help Abbas to a seat.

Explaining why he suddenly collapsed, Abbas claimed that he had suffered from exhaustion while preparing for his screening for a ministerial role.

According to him, “It is basically exhaustion. I got the news of my nomination yesterday and I had to come from Kaduna.

There were so many things to do which I attended to throughout the night. What happened today is as a result of pure exhaustion.”

“I want to thank the Senate for their understanding particularly the senators from my State ( Kaduna) who have all gathered around me since yesterday and the medical team who took care of me.

“I am alright now, nothing is wrong with me. What I experienced was pure exhaustion which can happen to anybody,” he said.