All Progressives Congress (APC) state chapters and the national secretariat have been excluded from the selection process for ministerial nominees because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to submit his nominations to the National Assembly this week or next week.
According to news reports, Tinunu and governors must submit the names of individuals nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or state House of Assembly under the new amendment to the 1999 Constitution that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law.
On May 29, President Tinubu took the oath of office, marking his 42nd day in office.
The former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, was one of the former governors who may have been pencilled in to be on the final list, according to The Guardian. Others include former governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Muhammad Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).
However, it was heard that Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, is preferred over Senator Ibikunle Amosun for the ministerial list, and Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State, is also being considered for the position of foreign affairs minister.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru, a former bank executive, is in line to become the new finance minister in Lagos State, where President Tinubu is from. According to information obtained, his appointment as Minister will make way for Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos, to take his place as the senator representing Lagos East in the Red Chambers.
After plotting between two camps, one led by former deputy senate president Ovie Omo-Agege and the other by Lauretta Onochie and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the Delta State crisis that is roiling the South-South state party has left it unclear as to who will be named minister.
From the top, the party may decide to select Festus Keyamo because he served as the president’s campaign spokesperson and has been assisting the president to defend his case at the tribunal, claims a dependable source.
However, it was also learned that a different group is backing Otega Emerhor with Omo-Agege’s backing because the latter is still fighting to’reclaim’ his governorship mandate at the election tribunal.
The former governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, the former senate majority leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, the APC national women’s leader, Dr. Betta Edu, the candidate for governor in this year’s elections, Senator John Owan Enoh, the former party chairman and ambassador, Soni Abang, the former board chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and former commissioner for information, Akin Rocket, and a well-known
According to the Guardian investigation, Tinubu is willing to work with politicians and other idiots who could help his administration achieve national unity. It was learned that in doing so, he might not rely entirely on the party members who contributed to his success in the area.
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governors of the states of Enugu and Abia, have already met with Tinubu. Ikpeazu’s inclusion on the list is uncertain, but Ugwuanyi’s is believed to be set in stone due to his close relationship with Tinubu and his efforts as governor to bring the country together.
However, there is a disagreement in Abia over party control between former minister Uche Ogar and the party’s governorship candidate in the elections of 2023, Ikechi Emenike.
Members of the party are divided due to the rift. According to a source, the party may have given the president two lists of prospective ministers.
It was discovered that even though Ugwuanyi is not a member of the APC, his personable demeanour has turned into a factor that could help him land a job in Tinubu’s administration.
Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Senate President, is said to be on the list, according to rumours in Ebonyi. Anyim’s close relationship with Dave Umahi, the state’s most recent governor, who will ultimately have a say in who should be appointed from the state, is said to be a contributing factor.
It is unlikely that Governor Uzodimma of Imo state won’t have a say in selecting the minister to represent the state.
The president might search elsewhere for his minister as a result of the Anambra APC crisis. He spoke with Olisa Metuh, the former PDP national publicity, just last week.
