Breaking: Buhari Dumps Amaechi, Appoints New Ministers

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi did not make the list of Ministerial nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday.

Before the President sent the list of would-be Ministers to the Upper House, there were reports that Amaechi, who contested the APC Presidential primary but lost, was plotting a return to the cabinet.

In the Maritime industry one of the sectors under the Ministry of Transportation, where Amaechi held sway before he resigned to contest the APC Presidential Primary two weeks ago, there were fears on Monday of his imminent return, a situation sources in the sector insist, could upset the apple’s cart in the ministry where Gbemi Saraki, the Minister of State for Transportation is currently presiding.

Saraki, the daughter of the late Kwara state strongman, Abubakar Olusola Saraki and Amaechi had been struggling for the control of the soul of the Ministry since they were both appointed by President Buhari.

Some aides of Saraki told the magazine that she has been carrying on as the Head of the Ministry since the departure of Ameachi, but that activities had slowed down in the Ministry over apprehension that Buhari would renominate Ameachi to office.

The former Rivers state Governor is known to have the ears of the President due to their closeness.

Amaechi and other Ministers had resigned their appointments to vie for the position of APC presidential flag bearer.

The Ministers are Ogbonaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio, Emeka Nwajiuba.

Reading a letter sent to the Senate on Tuesday by President Buhari, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the list contained seven nominees. None of the ministers made it, a confirmation of suggestions in political quarters that their services are no longer required by the President.

Buhari’s request was contained in two letters read by Lawan on the floor of the Senate.