Consequently, Nigerians, who expected the nominees to be screened today, will have to wait till next Tuesday when the exercise will begin. The senators said the three-day screening will hold between October 13 and 15.
The legislators took the decision after Senate President, Bukola Saraki unveiled the first batch of the nominees, which had 21 names as forwarded to the Senate President last Wednesday by President Buhari.
The nominees
The nominees include: Abubakar Malami (SAN), Kebbi; Abdurahman Bello Dambazzau, Kano; Aisha Jumai Al Hassan, Taraba; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Kwara; Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos; Adebayo Shittu, Oyo; Solomon Dalong, Plateau; Senator Chris Ngige, Anambra; Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers and Chief Audu Ogbeh, Benue.
Of particular interest among the nominees is Mr Audu Ogbeh. In the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari, late Dr Olusola Saraki, as Senate leader was part of the senators that screened Audu Ogbeh. 36 years later, the late Saraki’s son is presiding over the Senate that will screen Audu Ogbeh again for yet another ministerial slot.
The rest are Mrs. Amina Ibrahim; Dr. Osagie Ehaneri, Edo; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Delta; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Jigawa; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Ogun; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Abia; Ahmed Musa Bello Ibeto, Niger; Ibrahim Usman Jubrin, Nasarawa; Senator Hadi Serika, Katsina and Senator Udo Udoma, Akwa Ibom.
Senate President Saraki, who opened the sealed envelope at exactly 10:45am, told the lawmakers that the President sent the list to him through the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, adding that the list contained the first batch of nominees.
Buhari’s nomination letter
President Buhari’s letter to Saraki read: “In accordance with Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I have the honour to forward the attached partial list of ministerial nominees for Senate confirmation. The list of the remaining nominees will follow shortly.
“It is my hope that this exercise will receive the usual kind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic.”
Senator Saraki, who disclosed that the Senate would commence screening on Tuesday, October 13, said that President Buhari had told him that subsequent names would come shortly.
This came as senators, who were sharply divided over the list said they would do a thorough screening and called for the curriculum vitae of the nominees.
Meantime, President Buhari, yesterday, reached out to senators elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pleaded for soft-landing for the nominees, whose nomination elicited mixed reactions in the polity.
Also, the Senate said it would not screen President Buhari, if he chose to function as Petroleum Minister, as a senator, Mao Ohuabaunwa threatened early in the week.
Those who expressed mixed views on the nomination include the PDP, which said there is nothing to be excited about the list; the Pan-Yoruba Socio-political Organisation, Afenifere; Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa; and former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav.
List divides senators
Soon after Saraki read out the names, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio observed that the list was not constitutional because the constitution stipulates that each state must have a nominee, adding that the nomination was not the expected change because the partial submission of the list does not augur well.
Senator Akpabio, who moved a point of order, however, commended the President for being a man of his words and submitting the list as stipulated and urged the President to comply with the provisions of the constitution.
No surprise yet – Bwacha
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, deputy minority leader, said: “Except when we see the second batch, for this first list, I haven’t seen surprises here.”
No change here – Ohuabunwa
For Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, PDP, Abia North: “Well, the impression we were given was not exactly what we saw because the impression was that they were going to bring new people and maybe some that we have never heard of or seen. But I found out that the list is also whole lot of people that have been around, people we know, those who have been in the political circle. It could be part of the change.”
Nominees ‘re capable people – Alimikhena
Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, said: “I believe that they are capable Nigerians that are recommended by the president. So, I wish them good luck, they are the people that will handle the country for us.”
Buhari has done due diligence – Rafiu
Senator Ibrahim Adedayo Rafiu, APC, Kwara South: “Definitely, the names are not expected to be ghosts, they are expected to be Nigerians, who have track records. Due diligence has been done by the President to bring the list to the Senate. We will do our own here by screening them to the hearing of the nation and we believe objectivity and capability will be the key points in the interest of Nigerians.”
It’s not worth it – Nwaboshi, Odia
Also contributing, Senator Peter Nwaboshi, PDP, Delta North said: “It’s not worth it. You can understand that it’s not worth the waiting, recycling of old hands! I know one of them was a minister when I was a young boy and is now on the list. It’s not worth the waiting. ”
Senator Clifford Odia, PDP, Edo Central spoke in like manner. He said: “For me, it is not worth the waiting because most of the names that he sent to us are all known to us. So,he (Buhari) didn’t need to spend all this time to bring to us names that we already know.”
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