The Nigerian Senate has postponed the planned screening for ministerial nominees, initially set for Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The decision was made to allow the nominees additional time to gather and submit necessary documentation required for the screening and confirmation process.
The announcement came through a statement signed by Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters. In the official release, Senator Lado clarified that the Senate rescheduled the screening to ensure nominees are fully prepared with all required documents, stating, “The scheduled screening of ministerial nominees has been postponed by the Senate. This is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.” The new screening date is now set for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
The postponement is seen as a procedural adjustment aimed at upholding transparency and thoroughness in the nomination process. According to sources close to the Senate, ensuring that all documentation is complete before the screening will facilitate a smoother, more organized process. This measure reflects the Senate’s commitment to thorough scrutiny of ministerial candidates before they take on key roles in the federal government.
Earlier, on Monday, Senator Lado had confirmed that nominees had already begun the documentation process in preparation for the screenings. He noted that this phase is crucial for meeting the procedural standards required by Section 147 of the Nigerian Constitution. This section mandates the Senate’s role in screening and confirming the President’s ministerial choices to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications and standards.
President Bola Tinubu had previously submitted a letter to the Senate, listing seven nominees to be appointed to various ministerial positions. The letter was read aloud by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session. Among the nominees are Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, nominated as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi for Minister of Labour and Employment; Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole for Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development. Additional nominees include Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to consider his nominees promptly, emphasizing the importance of filling these ministerial roles to address the nation’s pressing needs in various sectors. “Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon,” Akpabio announced, underscoring the Senate’s readiness to address the nominations.
