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Dr Kayode Fayemi, Nigeria's Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who had a vote of no confidence passed on him by members of the House of Representatives has reacted to the move through one of his aide.

In the statements by Olayinka Oyebode, the actions of the House of Representatives was descried as "unwarranted and unfortunate" while the reason for both Fayemi and his counterpart Abubakar Bwari not attending the meeting, had been duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters.

"It is rather unfair for the House members to categorise the ministers' absence as ‘boycott', when they were adequately notified. Tolerance and moderation are essential ingredients in public service engagement."

"In this particular case, they appear to be in short supply and the ministry believes that there is more than meets the eye on this matter. After all, the Ministers are always willing to engage the Honourable House and its leadership at all times," the statement read.

The statement further noted that Fayemi was the first minister to address the sectoral debate in 2016 and on that occasion, the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was extensively discussed. It continued, saying two special sessions were held by the House Committees on Privatisation and Public Petitions where Bwari addressed the members on those two occasions.