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Tinubu nominates Wike, El-Rufai, Fagbemi and others as ministers

Published

1 year ago

July 27, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated the immediate-past governors of Rivers, Kaduna, Osun, and Cross River State as Ministers.

According to the Nation, the nominees are Nyesom Wike, Nasir E-Rufai, Gboyega Oyetola, and Ben Ayade respectively.

Others on the Ministerial List to be unveiled on the floor of the Senate this Thursday morning include President Tinubu’s top aide, Dele Alake; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; APC national woman leader, Dr. Betty Edu; former Lagos State Commissioner for Budget Planning, Wale Edun; ex-Minister of State for Health, Prof. Ali Pate, and ex-deputy governor of CBN, Adebayo Adelabu from Oyo State.

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, was the leader of the aggrieved G-5, which opposed the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

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).