Senior Special Assistant to the President for National Assembly (Senate) Affairs Abdullahi Gumel has conveyed the confirmed list of 45 ministerial candidates for the Presidency.
Mr. Gumel made this known while briefing reporters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Senate on Monday confirmed the appointment of 45 ministerial candidates and suspended the confirmation of three others.
The unconfirmed included former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Taraba state senator Abubakar Danladi and Delta state candidate Stella Okete.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabiohe explained that the trio was not confirmed because they were still waiting for security clearance.
Mr. Gumel said: “We transmitted the confirmed list yesterday (Monday) around 11:30 pm to the President’s Chief of Staff.
“The list is now in the Executive, which means that the ministerial candidates have been approved by the Senate and confirmed.”
He thanked the senators who, he said, sacrificed their recess and stood behind as patriotic Nigerians to conclude the selection and confirmation of the nominees.
“The interesting thing about what happened in the Senate is that there was no opposition. The passion and commitment they showed to the job is commendable.
“I am very grateful to the 10th Senate for making our job, those of us who represent the executive, very easy and very interesting.
“So, confirming the portfolios of the candidates for ministers, that is the presidential grace.”
Mr. Gumel also explained that the number of nominees was increased from the usual 42 to 48.
“We have increased the number of candidates for ministers from what we had, that is, 42.
“Our president sent 48, so we feel that what would happen is that some of the ministries that are so big will be merged or separated to make it easier for the Senate to oversee, like the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, which we think should be separated. .
“This is so they can accommodate the number of ministers.
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“The president will give them portfolios so that the government can get going. It is the prerogative of the president,” Gumel said.
He also said the crop of nominees came from the private sector, technocrats and politicians, governors, serving and non-serving senators, members of the House of Representatives, Nigerian women and youth.
“They will help achieve the ‘Hope Renewed’ mantra because Nigerians are waiting for the president to get his government up and running.”
(YAYA)
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