BEVERLY HILLS, February 17, (THEWILL) – The Senate Tuesday received the names of eight ministerial nominees from President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration and approval.
The screening and approval of the nominees have been fixed for next week.
Those who made the list include the former Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East, Col. Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu; as well as Nicholas Akise Ada.
Others are Senator Patricia Akwashiki, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo, Mrs Hauwa’u Lawan, Mr. Kenneth Kobani and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya.
The eight were nominated to fill the gaps created by the resignation of some ministers from the Federal Executive Council to pursue their political ambitions.
Accordingly, Senator Akwashiki from Nasarawa State is tipped to replace former Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku who has now pitched his tent with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as its governorship candidate for Nasarawa State.
Prof. Ada is tipped to replaces the former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who is also the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State.
Col. Augustine Akobundu from Abia State who is the Vice Chairman of PDP, South East was nominated to replace Chief Emeka Wogu, former Minister of Labour and Productivity while Engr, Fidelis Nwankwo would be taking over the Ebonyi slot following the exit of former Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu who contested the governorship primaries.
Mrs. Lawan from Jigawa State upon confirmation is expected to take as Minister of Education, a position formerly occupied by Prof. Ruquayyat u Rufai Ahmed.
The only nominee who resigned to contest the governorship election in Lagos State, Senator Obanikoro, was re-nominated just as Kobani from Rivers State is being tipped to take over the state’s slot vacated by the former Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike who is now the PDP governorship candidate for the state.
Senator Ikenya from Taraba state is to replace Mr. Barion Ishiaka , who left as former Minister of State for Niger Delta and is now the PDP governorship candidate in Taraba State.
