President Bola Tinubu submitted to the Senate a list of his ministerial nominations after 50 days in office, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio will read the list today.
The letter containing the list was reportedly delivered yesterday to Magaji Tambuwal, the Clerk of the National Assembly.
The President must submit the list of ministerial nominations within 60 days of taking office, as required by law. After taking office on May 29, Tinubu will have until July 26 to complete this requirement.
The ministerial list was developed well in advance, but late changes have been made to ensure its maximum effectiveness, according to insider sources at the Presidency.
The release of the ministerial list has been keenly anticipated by Nigerians, who have caused several speculative lists to circulate recently. President Tinubu has nevertheless carefully protected his picks, keeping the public guessing as to who will finally be given responsibilities in the final list of cabinet members.
The ministerial list is eagerly awaited by Nigerians as it would further reveal the Tinubu administration’s policy stance in addressing the multitude of issues affecting Africa’s largest economy.
The stress and anticipation around Tinubu’s ministerial nomination list are further diminished by his letter. Credible sources close to the office of the Senate President revealed that the list has reached the Senate even though no official announcement or information to that effect has come from the Senate.
However, when contacted to confirm the news, a leading senator claimed to be unaware of the event.
The inclusion of some opposition party members is one of the anticipated results of the list, which has been discussed by numerous political pundits and public affairs commentators. The fact that some opposition supporters helped Tinubu win the presidential election is no longer breaking news.
The G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the former governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike, were crucial in causing irreparable harm to the standing of their party and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) are additional G-5 governors.
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who is running for president, is also widely expected to join Tinubu’s government.
Dele Alake, the presidential spokesperson, recently asserted that only President Tinubu has the authority to choose who should be included on the list and when it should be sent to the National Assembly. Before the 60 days were up, Alake promised that the list will be made public.
According to individuals familiar with the President’s thinking, he intends to choose members of opposition parties to create a cabinet of national interests across party lines with an eye toward the general elections in 2027.
According to The Punch, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been forcing the President to constantly revise portfolios to assign to states and who to appoint to effectively man the post in light of these calculations and the need for additional consultations with important stakeholders both inside and outside his party.
Another source claims that the initial group of Senate nominations is prepared for confirmation in time to meet the July 26 constitutional deadline. After the deadline, “he will subsequently forward more names to the Senate for confirmation.”
Kano State stands out as one of the states posing problems for President Tinubu. Following weeks of deliberations and political maneuvering, it has been revealed that Abdulahi Ganduje of the APC, who succeeded Kwankwaso of the NNPP as the state’s former governor and their political enemies, will represent Kano and the Northwest zone in the cabinet.
CREDIT: The Punch
ReporterFK (
)
