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FCT gets first ministerial nominee as Tinubu sends second list to senate

August 2, 2023 5:50 pm

President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to screen and confirm 19 additional ministerial nominees.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.

TheCable had reported that Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to Tinubu, submitted the president’s letter to the senate about an hour ago.

Five former governors are among the nominees, and they are Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Bello Matawelle (Zamfara); Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

Other nominees are Ahmed Gwarzo; Bosun Tijani; Maryam Shetty; Isiak Salako; Tunji Alausa; Yusuf Sununu; Lola John; Shuaibu Audu; Tahir Mamman; Aliyu Abdullahi; Alkali Saidu; Heineken Lokpobori; Maigari Ahmadu and Zephaniah Jisalo who is the nominee from the federal capital territory (FCT).

Jisalo, the first Abuja indigene to be nominated for a ministerial position, is a former member of house of representatives.

In his letter to the senate, President Tinubu said his request is in line with section 147 (2) of the 1999 constitution, adding that the upper legislative chamber should “expeditiously” screen and confirm the ministerial nominees.

On July 27, Tinubu forwarded the first list of 28 nominees to the senate for screening and confirmation.

Subsequently, the red chamber, on Monday, began screening the first batch of ministerial nominees.

Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers; David Umahi, senate deputy majority leader; and Dele Alake are among those who have been screened so far.

The senate has adjourned sitting and Akpabio said the screening of the president’s nominees will resume on Thursday.

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