CURRENT REPORT BLOG The Senate of Nigeria has commenced the crucial process of screening ministerial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu. The first batch of 28 nominees was interviewed during a plenary session that started at approximately 12:41 pm on Monday. This CURRENT REPORT blog post provides an overview of the screening process, the notable nominees interviewed, and the outcome of the session.
The Screening Process Commencement
On Monday, the upper chamber of the Nigerian Senate began the screening of ministerial nominees. This process involves a thorough assessment of each nominee’s qualifications, experience, and suitability for the proposed roles in the government.
Notable Nominees Screened
Among the 28 ministerial nominees, 14 were interviewed during the first batch screening. Some of the prominent figures who faced the Senate’s scrutiny include:
Nyesom Wike: Former governor of Rivers State.
Abubakar Kyari: Representative from Borno State.
Nkiruka Onyejeocha: Nominee from Abia State.
Bello Muhammad: Candidate representing Sokoto State.
Sani Abubakar Danladi: Nominee hailing from Taraba State.
Badaru Abubakar: Representative from Jigawa State.
Other Noteworthy Nominees:
The screening also included the following candidates
Joseph Utsev: Nominee from Benue State.
Olubunmi Tunji Ojo: Candidate representing Ondo State.
Betta Edu: Nominee from Cross River State.
Uju Kennedy Ohaneye: Representative from Anambra State.
Abubakar Momoh: Nominee from Edo State.
John Enoh: Candidate representing Cross River State.
Iman Suleiman Ibrahim: Nominee from Nasarawa State.
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar: Representative from Bauchi State.
Special Treatment for Former Senators
Nominees who were formerly senators received special consideration and were allowed to “take a bow” without undergoing rigorous questioning. This practice recognizes their previous legislative service and contributions to the nation.
Scrutiny by the Senators
The remaining nominees underwent thorough scrutiny by the senators, who evaluated their qualifications and potential for effective governance.
Reverting to Plenary and Adjournment
Once the screening process for the 14 nominees was completed, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the Senate to revert to plenary to report progress. The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Darlington Nwokocha, and was subsequently carried. As a result, the plenary session was adjourned until the next day.
The commencement of the screening process for the ministerial nominees is a significant step in shaping Nigeria’s government. The first batch of 14 candidates underwent assessment, while former senators received a favorable treatment. The Senate’s dedication to a comprehensive screening process reflects its commitment to appointing qualified and capable individuals to crucial ministerial positions. The nation eagerly awaits the outcomes of the subsequent screening sessions.
