Immediate past governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) from of Lagos, Adamawa and Bauchi states, Akinwunmi Ambode, Mohammed Bindow and Mohammed Abubakar, are among the top nominees for ministerial appointments in President Muhammadu Buhari’s next cabinet, Herald Nigeria has learnt.
It was gathered that the APC leadership had resolved that the trio, who lost their re-election bids would “automatically’ become the ministerial nominees for their states.
The APC Organising Secretary, Adamawa State chapter, Ahmed Lawan, confirmed the development.
While noting that that the party leadership had yet to call for any list from the state chapter, however, Lawan said Bindow might be “automatically” nominated for the state, following the directive from the national leadership of the party.
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Bindow lost his second-term bid to Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a rerun.
Lawan, who is also aspiring for the office of the National Secretary of the APC, said, “That is the directive from the national leadership and there’s no nomination outside of Bindow. They never asked us to make any nomination. That is the arrangement; any state where the governor lost, the governor will be given a ministerial slot.”
If the report plays through, Ambode who lost in a controversial primary election to Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu may represent Lagos State in the ministerial list while Abubakar who lost to Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party is expected to clinch the Bauchi State slot.
The Punch quoted presidency sources that Ambode enjoys the favour of Buhari and his men and that there were strong indications he would make the list.