President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated seven new ministers to replace cabinet members who resigned last month to contest for various elective position in the primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Buhari administration is serving its last 11 months.
The ministerial nominees are: Henry Ikechukwu (Abia State), Umana Umana (Akwa Ibom State), Ekuma Joseph (Ebonyi State) and Goodluck Obia (Imo State), Umar Yakub (Kano state), Ademola Adegorioye (Ondo State) and Odo Udi (Rivers State).
President Buhari’s letter to the Senate seeking their confirmation was read by Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan at the commencement of plenary on Tuesday.
The Ministers who quiet the cabinet included Dr Ogbonnaya Onu (Science, Technology and Innovation), Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Senator Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta), Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba (Education – Minister of State). They all contested the presidential primary, although Akpabio stepped down for the eventual winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly before voting commenced.
Others were Uche Ogar, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development who contested and won the fractional Abia State governorship primary; and Senator Tayo Alasoadura, former Minister of State for Niger Delta who contested and lost the APC Ondo Central senatorial primary.
They had all resigned in accordance with the provisions of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act which stipulates: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election”.
Although the Court of Appeal had declared the section unconstitutional, the case is now before the Supreme Court for a final decision.
The new ministerial nominees will be screened by the Senate on another legislative day.
