Developing story: Tinubu completes list of ministers, nominates 19 more
● 5 new ex-governors make list;
● Tinubu sets up biggest war cabinet ever;
● Sends appropriate message to doubting Thomas’s
By Elem Kash
Some of nominees whose names were forwarded to the Senate on Wednesday.Indications that the nation’s Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prepared for the forthcoming battle for the socio- economic liberation of the people has been further re-enforced.
Wednesday, the President sent 19 additional nominees who are to be part of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, if they are cleared by the Senate.
This number of persons who are to serve as ministers brings the total so far forwarded to the Senate by the President to 47.
Recall that the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila delivered the new list to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio at about 3.15pm Nigerian time.
Akpabio promptly read out the names of the appointees on the floor of the upper chamber.
The nominees include former governors Simon Lalong (Plateau); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).
Others on the list are: Ahmed Tijani, Bosun Tijani, Dr Maryam Shetti, Ishak Salako, Tunji Alausa, Tanko Sununu, Lola Adejo, Shuaibu Abubakar, Tahir Mamman, Aliyu Sabi, Alkali Ahmed, Heineken Lokpobiri, Uba Maigari, Zephaniah Jissalo
Of the 28 names previously submitted the Senate has since screened 25. Three were left unscreened by the Senate before the Presidency came again with a fresh list.
Many Nigerians agree that the list of ministers populated by technocrats and bureaucrats, youthful Nigerians, women and experienced politicians is the most broad-based in recent times.
No less than seven women are to serve in the Bola Tinubu cabinet. This is the highest number of women to serve in exco in one go and the first time that gender issues have received greater attention.
Analysts however say that although there is no precedent in this country relating to the cancellation of presidential election results, the Tinubu administration in picking experienced political foot soldiers appears prepared for any eventuality in the field.
Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was one of the eminent Nigerians from the PDP picked by President Bola Tinubu.Despite criticisms from some quarters, the number of trail blazing ex-governors with a strong grip of the political situation in parts of the country are part of an incoming federal cabinet.
“The administration has sent appropriate messages in terms of the President’s choice of ministers”, a knowledgeable politician said in Port Harcourt.
Tinubu who addressed the nation a few days ago said his mission is not to hurt the Nigerian people.
He assured that his vision is to find solutions to teething problems that are confronting the people.
“The President had pledged to work for the nation and the quality of nominees that he has finally assembled as his ministers shows seriousness on his part”, another source added.
In the meantime, the President has urged the Senate to screen its nominees speedily.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio assured the nation that the Senate will deal with the issue èxpeditiously.
He ordered an adjournment of Wednesday’s proceedings, saying the idea was to enable the nominees to assemble needed requirements.