Ministerial Nominees: El-Rufai, Wike, Fagbemi, Pate Make the Cut
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally submitted his list of ministerial nominees to the Senate, barely a few days before the constitutional deadline.
The list, which has been eagerly awaited by Nigerians, features a mix of seasoned politicians and accomplished technocrats from across the country.
Among the notable names on the list are former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, his Rivers State counterpart Nyesom Wike and renowned medical scholar Ali Pate.
El-Rufai, who was also a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is expected to head the Power Ministry, while Wike, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain but worked for the All Progressives Congress (APC) last election, is tipped to oversee the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry. Pate, a Harvard professor of medicine and former Minister of State (Health) in the Jonathan Administration, is likely to return to the Health Ministry.
Other prominent nominees include legal luminary Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who is set to become the Minister of Justice and Attorney-general of the Federation; an economist Olawale Edun, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy; banker Adebayo Adelabu, who was the Central Bank Deputy Governor and a governorship candidate in Oyo State; former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who is a financial expert; APC Women Leader Betta Edu, who is a former Health Commissioner in Cross Rivers State; Senator Ben Ayade, who was also a former governor of Cross Rivers State; and Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media, Strategy and Special Duties, Dele Alake.
A Senate source revealed that President Tinubu sent 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 source also said that the list reflected the national character and outlook of the President and the ruling party. According to the source, the screening of nominees is likely to be held next week.
The ministerial nominees list has generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians on social media, with some praising President Tinubu for choosing competent and experienced individuals, while others criticizing him for recycling old politicians and ignoring some regions. Some also expressed surprise at the inclusion of Wike and Ayade, who were formerly staunch opponents of Tinubu and his party.
