After much anticipation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, finally presented the ministerial list of former President Bola Tinubu before the Senate on Thursday. Gbajabiamila, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, arrived at the Senate Chambers and presented the list to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at precisely 01:19 pm.
Akpabio informed the senators that the list was dated July 27, 2023, and titled “Request For Confirmation Of Ministerial-Nominees.” He further disclosed that additional nominations would be sent to the Senate in due course. Subsequently, Akpabio proceeded to read the ministerial list, which included a total of 28 nominees.
Tinubu’s nominations have been the subject of public interest, and the first set of names received much attention due to the inclusion of prominent politicians, including former governors and current and former members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Among the nominees, 25% are women, demonstrating a move towards gender representation. The women nominated are Betta Edu, Doris Aniche Uzoka, Hannatu Musawa, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Stella Okotete, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, and Iman Suleiman Ibrahim.
The slow take-off of previous administrations has been attributed to delayed ministerial appointments. For instance, in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled his cabinet six months after his inauguration, leading to a slow start for his administration. However, Tinubu’s actions indicate a different approach, as he managed to transmit his ministerial list to the National Assembly a day before his constitutional deadline of July 28, 2023.
According to the Fifth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution, the President must transmit the names of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly within 60 days of assuming office. Tinubu has met this requirement, ensuring a more timely start for his administration.
The full list of Tinubu’s ministerial nominees is as follows:
- Abubakar Momoh
- Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
- Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa
- Barr. Hannatu Musawa
- Chief Uche Nnaji
- Dr. Betta Edu
- Dr. Doris Aniche Uzoka
- H.E. David Umahi
- H.E. Nyesom Wike
- H.E. Badaru Abubakar
- H.E. Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
- Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo
- Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejocha
- Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo
- Hon. Stella Okotette
- Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohaneye
- Mr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo
- Mr. Dele Alake
- Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN
- Mr. Muhammad Idris
- Mr. Olawale Edun
- Mr. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu
- Mrs. Iman Suleiman Ibrahim
- Professor Ali Pate
- Professor Joseph Utsev
- Senator Abubakar Kyari
- Senator John Enoh
- Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi
Below is a geographical analysis of the nominees representing the country’s regions as prescribed by law:
North-East:
- Yusuf Maitama Tuggar – Bauchi
- Ali Pate – Bauchi
- Abubakar Kyari – Borno
- Sani Abubakar Danladi – Taraba
North-West:
- Badaru Abubakar – Jigawa
- Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai – Kaduna
- Ahmed Dangiwa – Katsina
- Hannatu Musawa – Katsina
- Bello Muhammad Goronyo – Sokoto
North Central:
- Lateef Fagbemi – Kwara
- Muhammad Idris – Niger
- Iman Suleiman Ibrahim – Nasarawa
- Joseph Utsev – Benue
South-West:
- Olubunmi Tunji Ojo – Ondo
- Dele Alake – Ekiti
- Olawale Edun – Ogun
- Waheed Adebayo Adelabu – Oyo
South-South:
- Nyesom Wike – Rivers
- Abubakar Momoh – Edo
- Betta Edu – Cross River
- Ekperikpe Ekpo – Akwa Ibom
- Stella Okotette – Delta
- John Enoh – Cross River
South-East:
- Uche Nnaji – Enugu
- Doris Aniche Uzoka – Imo
- David Umahi – Ebonyi
- Nkeiruka Onyejocha – Abia
- Uju Kennedy Ohaneye – Anambra
The presentation of Tinubu’s ministerial list has garnered significant attention from Nigerians, who now eagerly await the confirmation process. As the new administration takes shape, the inclusion of career politicians strongly suggests to Nigerians that this may be a case of “business as usual”.
Source: Channels