An aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Jackson Akpabio, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s definitive ministerial list will be released today.
In a plea to curb speculation among Nigerians, Akpabio urged the public to await the announcement of the nominees.
Speaking with Punch, he said, “I saw the list too just like every other person did, let’s wait till tomorrow (today). Don’t speculate, tomorrow (today), you’ll see the list.”
Rumours were swirling regarding the early departure of both the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, from the Senate building on Wednesday.
However, Jackson clarified that Akpabio remained within the National Assembly complex to inspect a building site.
He stated, “The Senate president’s outing this evening has nothing to do with the ministerial list, he went to inspect a church site within the complex.”
Today, the Senate is expected to reveal the list of ministers during its plenary, which is the constitutional deadline for the nomination. This will conclude the tense wait for the ministerial nominees.
A list of ministers that emerged on social media on Wednesday has caused confusion nationwide.
There has been widespread unease over the delay in the announcement of the ministerial list by President Bola Tinubu.
Many Nigerians have voiced concerns about the delayed formation of the president’s cabinet, particularly considering Tinubu’s promise of an immediate start.
In a statement on March 16, Tinubu committed to establishing a “government of national competence.”
The Fifth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution mandates the president to submit the names of their ministerial nominees for Senate confirmation within 60 days of their oath of office.
Having been sworn in as president on May 29, Tinubu is obligated by law to submit his ministerial list to the Senate by July 28 (today).
The constitution further requires the president to appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states of the federation.
Over the past weeks, there has been speculation about those who will appear on the ministerial list, with various names emerging on social media.
A disputed list that circulated on Wednesday included the names of notable politicians such as former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Sen. Aishatu Dahiru popularly known as Binani (Adamawa State); Sen. Andy Uba (Anambra); Alhaji Isa Yuguda (Bauchi State); Sen. Abubakar Kyari (Borno State) and former Cross River governor Sen. Ben Ayade.
Other names on the controversial list are Peter Godsday Orubebe (Delta State); Dayo Adeyeye (Ekiti State); Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu State) Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano State); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi State); James Faleke (Kogi State); Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara State); Sen. Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa State).
Also on the list are former Speaker, of the House of Representatives, Oladimeji Bankole (Ogun State); ex-Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola and former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong.