President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, to the Senate for confirmation as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
Tinubu stated that the nomination was made pursuant to Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which authorises the President to appoint ministers subject to the Senate’s approval.
The letter read in part, *“I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, SAN, for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest regards.”*
Udeh’s nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who stepped down last month amid controversies surrounding his academic qualifications — including a disputed degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and an alleged issue with his NYSC discharge certificate.
Nnaji’s resignation left Enugu State without representation in the Federal Executive Council, breaching the constitutional provision that requires each of the 36 states to have at least one minister.
Dr. Udeh, a seasoned legal practitioner who was recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has been nominated to fill the vacant position, thereby restoring Enugu’s representation in the federal cabinet.
The nomination also underscores Tinubu’s resolve to maintain constitutional balance and inclusiveness in his administration.
Following the reading of the President’s letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for prompt screening and confirmation.