Senate transmits list of 45 confirmed ministerial nominees to Presidency
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, has transmitted the confirmed list of 45 ministerial nominees to the Presidency.
Gumel made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Senate had on Monday, confirmed the appointment of 45 ministerial nominees and put on hold the confirmation of three others.
Those not confirmed include former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Sen. Abubakar Danladi from Taraba State and Stella Okotete from Delta State.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, explained that the trio were not confirmed because they were still awaiting security clearance.
The 45 nominees cleared by the Senate are Festus Keyamo, Mariya Mahmoud, Lola Ade-John, Bosun Tijani, Isiak Salako, Tahir Mamman, Maigari Ahmadu, Zephaniah Jisalo, Shuaibu Audu, Yusuf Sununu, Bello Matawalle, Alkali Saidu, Ahmed Gwarzo, Atiku Bagudu, Simon Lalong, Ibrahim Gaidam, Aliu Abdullahi, Gboyega Oyetola, Heineken Lokpobiri and Tunji Alausa.
Others are Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Dave Umahi, Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Adebayo Adelabu, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa, Musa Dangiwa, Nyesom Wike; Abubakar Kyari, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Bello Muhammad, Badaru Abubakar, Joseph Utsev, Olubunmi Ojo, Betta Edu, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, Abubakar Momoh, John Enoh, Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, and Yusuf Tuggar.
Speaking to newsmen, Gumel said, “We transmitted the confirmed list yesterday (Monday) by about 11:30 p.m. to the Chief of Staff to the President.
“The list is now with the Executive, which means that the ministerial nominees were cleared by the Senate and confirmed.”
He appreciated the senators who he said sacrificed their recess and stayed back as patriotic Nigerians to conclude the screening and confirmation of the nominees.
“The interesting thing about what happened in the Senate is that, there wasn’t opposition. The passion and commitment they showed to the work is commendable.
“I’m very grateful to the 10th Senate for making our jobs, those of us who represent the executive, very easy and very interesting”.
Gumel also explained that the number of the nominees was increased from the usual 42 to 48.
“We have increased the number of ministerial nominees from what we used to have, that is 42.
“Our President sent 48 so we felt that what would happen is that some of the ministries which are so big are to be merged together or separated for easy oversight by the Senate, like the Ministry of Works and Housing, which we felt should be separated.
“This is so that they can accommodate the number of ministers.
“The President will give them portfolios so that the government can get going. It is the prerogative of the President,” Gumel said.
He also said that the crop of nominees were drawn from the private sector, technocrats and politicians, governors, serving and non-serving senators, members of House of Representatives, Nigerian women and youths.
