After much speculation, Tinubu sends ministerial list to Senate
…As Wike, El-Rufai, Umahi make list
…Senate may call emergency sessions for screening of nominees
…Lawmakers may apply take-a-bow for screening of key nominees
…Tinubu to create new ministries, send 2nd batch of ministerial list – CoS
…Abiodun follows suit, seeks confirmation of Commissioner nominees from State assembly
By Moses Adeniyi
After much speculation, the Ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu have been revealed barely 24 hours to the expiration of the 60 days deadline set by law.
As read at the floor of the Senate during plenary on Thursday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the 28-man list had shocking appeals which broke the lines of party affiliation.
On the list was immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
Wike a member of opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was said to have worked for Tinubu in the February 25 presidential elections against the presidential candidate of his party, Atiku Abubakar who came second position behind President Tinubu.
Tinubu won Rivers to defeat both Atiku and Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party.
Wike, who is widely believed to have been instrumental to the victory of Tinubu in Rivers, is a leading force of the G-5 Governors of the PDP who fell out with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku.
In the aftermath of the election, Wike has been in a series of closed door meetings with Tinubu, giving early indication that he might be considered for a ministerial position.
Other figures on the list which caught attention were immediate past Governors of Kaduna and Ebonyi States, Nasir El-Rufai, and David Umahi.
El-Rufai was also said to have worked for Tinubu in Kaduna, while Umahi was one of the APC aspirants who stepped down for Tinubu during the party primaries.
Tinubu’s nominees were contained in a list personally delivered to the Senate by his Chief of Staff and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others on the list include Abubakar Momoh, Amb Yusuf Maitama, Architect Ahmad Dangiwa, Hanatu Musawa, Chief Uche Nnaji, Beta Edu; Doris Aniche.
Also were Mohamed Badaru, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nkiru onyejiocha, Olubumi Ojo, Stella okotekpe, Uju Kennedy, Bello Mohammed Goroyo.
Also were Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Mohammed Idris, Olawale Edun, Adebayo Adelabu, Imma Suleiman, Ali Pate, Joseph Utsev, Abubaka kyari, John Eno, Sani Abubakar Danladi.
Recall Nigerian NewsDirect had reported that the President would make the list available to the Senate this week not to run foul of the 60 days deadline as provided by a new legislation.
By the new amendment to the 1999 Constitution, the President and Governors must submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or the respective State Houses of Assembly.
Consequently, this implies that Tinubu and 28 Governors who have just been sworn in, must submit the lists of nominees for ministers and commissioners before the end of Friday (today). Friday will make it the 60th day for the deadline for submission.
The politics around ministerial appointment have been on top course since Tinubu returned from Paris, France, where he went for post election vacation. Since his return in June, the politicking around ministerial appointments as well as those of the leadership of the National Assembly has been on a top burner with intense lobbyings which have recorded series of meetings in closed doors.
…Lawmakers may apply take-a-bow for screening of key nominees
Nigerian NewsDirect has gathered that the Senate may have to call for emergency sessions for screening of the nominees for ratification, as Thursday (yesterday) would be the last plenary for the lawmakers to embark on their annual vacation.
Meanwhile, it was gathered some nominees who have maintained good political influences with lawmakers in the Senate may enjoy easy ride through the Senate for ratification, without going through rigorous questioning during their screening.
Sources disclosed the goodwill of the President with the leadership of the Parliament may further create room of convenience for the nominees to largely enjoy a “take-a-bow” floof.
Also, sources said the need to give speedy consideration to ratification of the list would further inform reason why the upper chamber may soften the process.
Some critics have noted that Tinubu may also be towing the lines of his predecessors’ tradition of taking long days after assuming office before announcing their appointees.
Many Nigerians had in 2015 lamented the delay in the appointment of ministers by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, as it took him about six months to have his cabinet set in place.
Tinubu had before inauguration promised his government would kick start work from the very first day, mentioning his government would be constituted before the first 30 days.
Dele Alake, had in March, boasted that it would not take Tinubu up to 60 days to assemble a team of competent hands for his government.
“It didn’t take Asiwaju more than three weeks to form his cabinet as governor. That was as at that time. I think 60 days is even too much. A month, maximum, is enough for any serious government to form its cabinet and put a structure of government in place after the swearing-in,” he had said.
Also, Bayo Onanuga who was the Director of Media and Publicity for the disbanded All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, had said in March too, “What I can assure you is that even if the list is not ready on the first day, it will not take Asiwaju more than one month to put his cabinet together. He definitely will not wait for 60 days to assemble a competent cabinet.”
…Tinubu to create new ministries, send 2nd batch of ministerial list – CoS
The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt.Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has hinted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration may create new ministries from the existing ones.
This was made known by Gbajabiamila on Thursday in Abuja after he submitted the ministerial list to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila said, ”Mr. President intends to separate portfolios or restructure the ministries in such a way you might be hearing of new ministries that were not standalone ministries before. So the process continues.”
Gbajabiamila said that the nominees were chosen after undergoing strict personal screening by the President.
He said that a second part comprising 13 names would be sent to the legislature, adding that this was part of the process of having a cabinet for the administration.
He said, ”As you know he had 60 days from time of inauguration, as stipulated in the constitution. He has fulfilled that requirement of the constitution by submitting 28 names today.
”As his letter stated, and was read on the floor of the Senate, the remaining names, not sure how many, probably about 12, maybe 13, will be forwarded to the Senate in the coming days.
”As far as the nominees themselves are concerned, and like I said, Mr President took his time to sift through those names.” He said.
…Abiodun follows suit, seeks confirmation of Commissioner nominees from State assembly
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has sought the approval of the State House of Assembly to confirm his Commissioner Nominees.
A press release by the Clerk/ Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Deji Adeyemo, the Speaker received the Governor’s letter dated 27th of July, 2023, requesting the confirmation of the nominees by the State lawmakers.
The governor’s correspondence reads, “I write once again to congratulate Mr. Speaker for your re- election into office as Rt. Honourable Speaker of the 10th Assembly and subsequent inauguration of all members of the Honourable House.
“I appreciate the Honourable House for the support and cooperation enjoyed during the first term of our administration.
“In furtherance of our mission in building our dear State together, Mr. Speaker, please find attached, the list of nominees for the post of Commissioners for your consideration,” the letter partly read.
The release noted that as of rule, the Speaker would announce the names on the list to the lawmakers at the next plenary day slated for Tuesday, 1st of August, 2023.
It is expected that other State Assemblies would follow suit to beat the deadline, not to run foul of the law.
…Ex-NGF DG charges N’Assembly to conduct thorough screening
The founding Director General of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Earl Osaro Onaiwu has charged the 10th National Assembly to conduct a thorough screening before confirming the various ministerial nominees.
In a statement personally signed by him on thursday and made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Mark Oyakhire, Onaiwu advised the National Assembly to jettison the age long tradition of “take a bow and go” because it is no longer fashionable.
According to him, “The National Assembly must exercise its constitutional duty of oversight, confirmation, or rejection of nominees, bearing in mind that the principle of separation of power is the very foundation in which our democracy rest upon.
“Nigerians will be watching closely and will expect a thorough engagement process, which will not only showcase the credibility of the national assembly and the whole process but also depict the preparedness of the nominees in taking up this crucial national assignment.”
He further said, “It is my belief that the 10th Assembly ably led the senate president, Godswill Akpabio will be thorough, open, and engaging.”
Onaiwu also urged the nominees to see the nonination as a duty to national service and rescue, especially in this critical juncture of mounting economic pressure on Nigerians.
