Senate to begin screening of ministerial nominees on Oct 13

In an opposite direction to the plea of President Muhammadu Buhari for expeditious screening and confirmation of his ministerial nominees, the senators are not in a hurry to do so. They are asking for the citation and resume of the 21 nominees to ensure “due diligence.”

Consequently, Nigerians, who expected the nominees to be screened today, will have to wait till next Tuesday when the exercise will begin. The senators said the three-day screening will hold between October 13 and 15.

The legislators took the decision after Senate President, Bukola Saraki unveiled the first batch of the nominees, which had 21 names as forwarded to the Senate President last Wednesday by President Buhari.

The nominees include: Abubakar Malami (SAN), Kebbi; Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, Kano; Aisha Jumai Alhassan, Taraba; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Kwara; Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos; Adebayo Shittu, Oyo; Solomon Dalong, Plateau; Senator Chris Ngige, Anambra; Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers and Chief Audu Ogbeh, Benue.

Of particular interest among the nominees is Mr. Audu Ogbeh. In the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari, late Dr. Olusola Saraki, as Senate leader was part of the senators that screened Audu Ogbeh. 36 years later, the late Saraki’s son is presiding over the Senate that will screen Audu Ogbeh again for yet another ministerial slot.

The rest are Mrs. Amina Ibrahim; Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Edo; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Delta; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Jigawa; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Ogun; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Abia; Ahmed Musa Bello Ibeto, Niger; Ibrahim Usman Jubrin, Nasarawa; Senator Hadi Sirika, Katsina and Senator Udo Udoma, Akwa Ibom.

Senate President Saraki, who opened the sealed envelope at exactly 10:45am, told the lawmakers that the President sent the list to him through the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, adding that the list contained the first batch of nominees.