Ministerial Nominees To be Screened Next Week As President Tinubu Submit List

President Bola Tinubu

It has been  reported that President Bola Tinubu  is set to  release the names of his ministerial nominees  before the   end of the week runs or latest,  the first week of August 2023.

The NATION  reports that  some ex-governors like Nasir Elrufai , Ben Ayade , Nyesome Wike , others have made the  list.

Eminent  medical  scholar Ali Pate are  on the  list of ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate.

Also nominated for  cabinet positions are  legal luminary Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); an economist Olawale Edun, banker Adebayo Adelabu, former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader Mrs. Betta Edu, Senator Ben Ayade and eminent journalist Dele Alake,  who is  currently the Special Adviser on Media, Strategy and Special Duties.

A Senate  source  said the President forwarded the  list to Senate President Godswill Akpabio this morning,  in line with the constitutional provision that the  list  should get to the National Assembly  within 60 days after the presidential inauguration.

The  deadline expires this weekend.

The  list is  a blend of politicians and technocrats, the  source  added.

However, the  source  could not  confirm  whether the  list had portfolios. He  could not  also  confirm the  number of nominees.

However, the  source  said the  list  reflected the  national  character and outlook of the President and the ruling  party.

President Tinubu had hinted  about  setting up  a government of inclusion and competence after assuming the reins.

He  said  experienced ministers will  drive his ‘Renewed Hope’  agenda  in the  national interest.

Despite  keeping the  list to his chest, it  was  gathered that it  was drawn following wider consultations with  members of the ruling APC National Caucus, the Progressive Governors’ Forum,  other  top  party leaders and  relevant stakeholders.

Indeed,  prominent  party leaders  close to the President  emphasised the  need  to nominate patriotic,  committed and  experienced  persons  without baggage.

Pate, a Harvard professor of medicine, is a former Minister of State (Health)  in the defunct Jonathan Administration. A  source  said  he is  likely to  hold the Health portfolio.

Wike, lawyer, former Minister of State for Education, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart  is also  on the  list.

El-Rufai, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), headed the APC Panel on Restructuring. According to the  source, he  may be assigned to the Power Ministry.

Fagbemi, who hails from Ijagbo, Kwara State, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Edun, one-time Lagos Finance Commissioner, is  currently Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy.

Oyetola, a  financial expert,  was governor of Osun State  between 2018 and 2022.

The APC Women Leader, Dr. Edu, is a former Health Commissioner in Cross Rivers State.

Ayade, a professor of microbiology, has served as Senator  before he  became governor.

The nominee from Oyo State, Adelabu, retired as Central Bank Deputy Governor. In the  last  general election, he contested for governor  on the platform of the Accord Party.

The Nation newspaper  also  added that the screening of nominees is  likely to be held  next week  which is August.