Expectations are high among Nigerians as the Nigerian Senate commences the screening of ministerial nominees on Monday.
Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs disclosed yesterday that the upper legislative chamber will screen the potential ministers next week.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent 28 names to the Senate on Thursday for confirmation as ministers, ending weeks of speculation on those that will make his cabinet.
Nigerians are already polarized on whether the nominees made up of technocrats, politicians, and techno-politicians will be able to actualize the president’s agenda to move the country forward.
The list which contained four former governors, is also a blend of women, youths, and old politicians of different age group in line with President Tinubu’s plan to bring everybody on board, according to those watching his government.
Former governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna); and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) made the list.
The women nominees are Betta Edu, Doris Aniche Uzoka, Hannatu Musawa, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Stella Okotete, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, and Iman Suleiman Ibrahim.
The president is still expected to send more names to the Senate, raising the number to at least 37 cabinet members, to meet the constitutional provision of one minister per state, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Ahead their confirmation next week, Adaramodu said the screening will not be a game as usual, noting that the Senate will apply the “take a bow and go” privilege with caution.
He further explained that the senate will not disappoint Nigerians, adding that the screening will be a thorough one.
” The issue of take a bow and go is not an anathema. It is a tradition,” Adaramodu said, adding that nominees will be allowed enough time to answer questions from senators.
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio read the list which contained nominees names and states during plenary yesterday.
They include Abubakar Momoh (Edo), Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Bauchi), Ahmad Dangiwa (Katsina), Hannatu Musawa (Katsina), Uche Nnaji (Enugu), Betta Edu (Cross River), Doris Aniche Uzoka (Imo) and David Umahi (Ebonyi).
Others are Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai (Kaduna), Ekperikpe Ekpo (Akwa Ibom) and Nkiru Onyejeocha (Abia).
Also on the list are Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Ondo), Stella Okotete (Delta), Bello Muhammad Goronyo (Sokoto), Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Anambra), Dele Alake (Ekiti), Lateef Fagbemi SAN (Kwara), Muhammad Idris (Niger), Olawale Edun (Ogun) and Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo).
Others are Iman Sulaiman Ibrahim (Nasarawa), Ali Pate (Bauchi), Joseph Utsev (Benue), Abubakar Kyari (Borno), John Enoh (Cross River) and Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba).
