FOR some 21 Nigerians, who will be screened at plenary by the Senate today and tomorrow, it is easier for the horse to pass through the needle's eye than scaling the hurdles to serve their fatherland as ministers.

Unlike what obtained in the past, when nominees appear for screening with funfair in the company of family members, it is certain that the hearts of these nominees will beat unusually faster when they face senators for assessment.

Ahead of the screening, the would-be ministers have subjected themselves for scrutiny by the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Beyond the clearance from the security and anti-graft agencies, the nominees must have proofs that they have declared their assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The stake is even higher for those who held political offices in the past. Such nominees must appear with CCB certificates.

If the words of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who will preside over the screening, are anything to go by, there will be no walk-over for any nominee. "It is not going to be business as usual," he told reporters at the weekend.

He was only reinstating what Senate spokesman Dino Melaye said after an executive session in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly last Thursday. Though Senator Melaye hinted that former federal legislators might go through lighter rigours, he ruled out preferential treatment for any category of nominees. He said the era of "take a bow and go" was gone for good.

The screening under this dispensation is a clear departure from the past. The practice was for nominees to lobby senators to soften the ground before they appear for scrutiny.

Besides the criteria set by the Senate, there are other hurdles to cross. It will not be over for them until it is over as those opposed to their nomination from their respective constituencies have perfected arrangements to back up their written petitions with protests at the National Assembly premises.

Many believe that the parliament must not pander too much to petitions to avoid the error of judgment. The lawmakers must rise above party affiliations in their duty to ensure Nigerians are not unduly denied of those who have the wherewithal to rebuild the country.

Hardly had the Senate President read the names of the nominees than their opponents swung into action, raking up reasons nominees from their states should not be cleared to join President Muhammadu Buhari in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Perhaps, creating more bumps for the nominees is the cold war between the presidency and the legislators. There have been repeated denials on both sides, but discerning minds know that the existing relationship between the two arms is everything but smooth.

Will the senators adhere strictly to the set criteria and create the impression that the Eighth Senate will not be a rubber stamp to the executive or see the opportunity as a payback time to hit at the presidency for undermining its independence in the choice of principal officers? The end will justify the means.

But, beyond raising the stake for the screening, the nominees must be made to sign an undertaking that they would heed the invitation of the National Assembly whenever called upon and cooperate with the lawmakers in the discharge of their oversight functions.

In the past, once ministers scaled the screening hurdle, they were out of control. They spurned legislative summons. Some even seek judicial injunctions to avoid appearance before the National Assembly.

It is hoped that the legislators and nominees would buy into the new order and play their parts. When cleared, ministers should keep their offices on the strength of what they can offer and not on how dexterous they are holding on to their offices.

The legislature and the executive should henceforth learn to promote the culture of democracy and foster good governance as partners in progress. The two arms needs each other for democracy to thrive.