and Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
As Nigerians wait, with bated breath, for the list of people who will make his cabinet list, speculations are rife on those who will eventually join the ship of governance under President Bola Tinubu.
Constitutionally, the President is empowered to pick members of his cabinet by appointing one minister each from the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As a way of helping him in his government, Tinubu may have to take a cue from his immediate predecessor in office, Muhammadu Buhari, who assembled 44 ministers with some states getting two ministers.
ThisNigeria learnt yesterday that a list of the ministerial nominees to be appointed by Tinubu was ready.
A top source confided in ThisNigeria that the first batch of appointees will be sent to the Senate this week- the authority vested with the constitutional powers to screen ministerial nominees.
The list, sources further disclosed, will contain the names of other nominees, which is expected to follow after.
*Tinubu’ll not betray opposition leaders who supported him
Characteristic of the President, it was gathered yesterday that the new list is likely to feature the names of arch-loyalists of Tinubu, especially those who have travelled along the political journey with him.
Tinubu, himself had triggered this suggestion from the way he picked his men at the inception of his administration. These include the appointment of Wale Edun to the advisory council, the appointment of Dele Alake as his spokesman, as well as the choice of Femi Gbajabiamila for the chief of staff role.
They represent the echelon of those who have weathered the political storm with him from earlier years.
Others include the selection of the former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, for the National Security Adviser office, some technocrats, whose contacts were not easily available on the public portal, and some selections in the military especially in the navy where a brilliant, ‘long suffering’ officer was picked to lead the pack.
Also expected to be beneficiaries of ministerial roles in the Tinubu dispensation, sources further disclosed, are members of the opposition parties, especially those who worked for his election.
“Tinubu is likely to bring in some members of the opposition who worked for him. And that is not limited to the leading opposition party, the PDP. Something like a unity government.” the source disclosed.
*Others
Also speculated to be on the waiting list of ministers are serving senators, bankers, and others
A national daily reported yesterday on some of the ministerial nominees that are likely to be appointed by President Tinubu.
The list, according to top sources in power corridors, is the first batch and will be sent to the Senate this week. The list of other nominees will follow after.
It reported that the first batch would be made up of technocrats, in line with the desire of President Tinubu to get the economy running as quickly as possible.
“The first batch of the list is ready,” a source disclosed, adding “The list will be finalised at a meeting with the president today (Monday).”
*Lawmakers ready to screen ministerial list as 10th Senate resumes plenary tomorrow (Tuesday)
Meanwhile, the 10th Senate would resume plenary tomorrow after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to commence proper legislative activities following its successful inauguration on June 13.
Our correspondent who was at the National Assembly on Friday and Saturday observed that the federal lawmakers have started collecting keys to their offices.
Their newly-hired aides were also sighted supervising the painting of their offices and other minor renovations they were carrying out.
ThisNigeria learnt that the senators, apart from other issues like the vetting of the ministerial list, will come up with a motion to review the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the last month, especially the issue of subsidy removal.
They are also expected to set up an ad hoc committee that would liaise with the executive on how to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal in such a way that would provide succour to the poor masses.
The lawmakers are expected to sit for three weeks before proceeding on their annual long vacation by the end of July.
President Tinubu is, therefore, expected to submit the ministerial list, latest by the second week in July so that the nominees would undergo the necessary screening.
*Caucus leadership, committee’s composition top agenda
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is also expected to receive letters from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the appointment of ranking senators to the majority leadership positions.
The various minority political parties, led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are also expected to jointly submit a harmonised minority leadership list.
The Senate President would also set up the selection committee comprising the body of principal officers who would appoint the composition of the various standing committees.
They would also determine the chairmanship and membership of the committees.
*NASS expecting supplementary budget to fund subsidy removal
The 10th Senate had yet to appoint a spokesperson, but a ranking senator told our correspondent, under anonymity yesterday, that the lawmakers would insist on prudent management of the proceeds of the subsidy removal.
The source said, “We are going to demand a proper briefing on what the executive is doing to address the short time effect of the subsidy removal.
“We are going to ensure that the proceeds from the subsidy removal are not squandered through corruption. There must be immediate measures to cushion the effects on our poor constituents.
“We are equally expecting an official communication from the president on the comprehensive plans to address the effect of the subsidy removal.
“The executive arm of government would possibly accompany the official communication with a supplementary budget to find the palliatives and other incentives,” the senator added.
