Tinubu nominates el-Rufai’s ex-SSG as minister

President Bola Tinubu has sent the name of Abbas Balarabe as a ministerial nominee from Kaduna to the senate for confirmation.

TheCable understands that Abbas was nominated to replace Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, whose confirmation was withheld by the senate over a security report.

Abbas served in the administration of el-Rufai as the secretary to the state government (SSG).

El-Rufai was initially nominated as minister but the senate withheld his confirmation because it did not have a security clearance on him.

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

The president’s request was premised on section 147(2) of the constitution as amended.

Also, Akpabio read Tinubu’s request asking the senate to confirm Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande as minister of youth and minister of state for youth, respectively.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced their appointments last month.

The position of minister of youth became vacant after the president redeployed Abubakar Momoh, who was first appointed to the position, to the ministry of Niger Delta development.