The names of the nominees for ministerial positions will probably be announced this week during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, both houses of the National Assembly hold plenary sessions.
In accordance with a recent modification to the 1999 Constitution, the President and governors are required to submit the names of individuals nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days after taking the oath of office for Senate or individual state Houses of Assembly approval.
Tinubu and the 28 recently elected governors must turn in the lists of potential ministers and commissioners by the end of this month.
This week is the final before the President’s deadline to designate his minister-nominees.
According to National Assembly sources, the letter with the names of the nominees arrived at the Senate President last week.
However, it should be noted that certain last-minute changes were made to the list, which explains the delay in reading out the names.
One of the sources stated, “The Senate President got the ministerial list last week, but it was not yet time for him to unveil it, hence the reason it was kept.
“Most importantly, there were some last-minute adjustments. The Senate President had a meeting with President Tinubu over the list last week.”
Another source stated that the government has been doing everything possible to minimise criticism, which is why the list could not be delayed.
The legislator stated that the names would be read out this week, but did not specify when.
According to the source, “The names of the ministerial nominees will be out this week.
“The Asiwaju-led administration has been trying its best to avoid a backlash even though it is unavoidable. The names will be unveiled this week; that is all I can say.”
An insider stated that the identities of the appointed persons and ministries will be revealed this week, and that many people would be astonished.
The insider stated that the delay was intentional due to intensive lobbying, but the list’s details would surprise many Nigerians.
The source continued, “The list of the nominees will be unveiled this week and I can tell you that the details will shock a lot of Nigerians. I mean a lot of big politicians will be thrown aback.
“This will be the real Asiwaju Tsunami.”
A highly ranked senator commented on the ease with which the screening of the nominations might be completed, saying that it may take three or seven days.
The source went on to say, “There is no big deal about the screening of ministers. The ministers can be screened in three days or one week.
“Even if we have to call special or emergency sessions after the plenary has closed for this session, we will.
“But I know the list will be read out this week.”
cc: Punch Ng
