Unless a last minute change occurs,, Senate President Godswill Akpabio will today, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, read the letter containing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominees for ministerial positions.
A report this morning in The Nation quotes a source close to the leadership of the Senate as disclosing this in a terse WhatsApp message.
“The source confirmed that the list is already with the Clerk to the National Assembly Magaji Tambawal for onward delivery to the Senate President who is expected to officially read the letter on the floor,” says the report.
It quotes the message as reading: “The Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, will read H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Ministerial Nominee list on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023”.
According to a related report in The Guardian, “After 50 days in office, President Bola Tinubu has sent the list of his ministerial nominees to the Senate, and to be read out today by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.”
The paper says it gathered that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, received the letter containing the list yesterday.
It quotes insider sources at the Presidency as disclosing that the ministerial list had been prepared well in advance, but recent adjustments have been made to ensure its utmost effectiveness.
“The list of ministerial nominees has been ready since, but the President had to make some changes in some states,” the paper quotes “a reliable source” as disclosing.
The paper adds: “Nigerians have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the ministerial list, leading to the circulation of various speculative lists in recent weeks. Nonetheless, President Tinubu has skillfully guarded his choices, leaving the public in suspense as to who will ultimately secure portfolios in the final list of cabinet members.
“The ministerial list is widely anticipated by Nigerians as one that will further show the policy direction of the Tinubu administration, in addressing the myriad of challenges facing Africa’s largest economy.
“Tinubu’s letter further reduces the anxiety and suspense surrounding his ministerial nomination list. Although no official statement or information has emanated from the Senate to this effect, credible sources close to the office of the Senate President disclosed that the list has reached the Senate. . .
“According to sources familiar with the President’s thinking, he plans to form a government of national interests across party lines by giving appointments to members of opposition parties with his eyes already on the 2027 general elections.
“With these calculations, coupled with the need for further consultations with key stakeholders within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been forcing the President back to his drawing board to constantly tweak portfolios to assign to states and who to appoint to effectively man the post.
“According to another source, the first batch of nominees to the Senate is ready for confirmation just to beat the July 26 constitutional deadline. ‘He will subsequently forward more names to the Senate for confirmation after the deadline’.”
As mandated by law, the President is obligated to submit the list of ministerial nominees within 60 days of assuming office. After Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, he has until July 26 to fulfill this requirement.
