12 days after sending the first batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sent the second list of ministerial nominees to Senate President Bukola Saraki as he had promised to.
The second batch of nominees was submitted to the Senate President by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, at 4.25pm.
Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House), was also part of the delegation.
Though the names on the second list are shrouded in top secrecy, reports have it that prominent names on the second list include former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Barr Mohammed Bello (Adamawa); former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun); former Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Chief Festus Odimegwu (Imo); former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo); former spokesman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu (Enugu); and former ANPP governorship candidate in Abia, Ikechi Emenike (Abia).
Others on the list include: Hadiza Abdullahi; Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Hajia Bukar Ibrahim, the former first lady of Yobe State (Yobe); Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa); James Ocholi, SAN (Kogi); Anthony Anwuka, a professor of education administration, who was secretary to the government of Imo state; and Isaac Adewole, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology. Others are Dan Ali, a brigadier-general who was retired in 2013; Okechukwu Enelamah, the CEO of African Capital Alliance; Claudius Omoyele Daramola, a professor of sociology of education, from Ondo state; and Aisha Abubakar.
The submission of the names was in line with President Buhari’s promise to send the second batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The Senate scheduled today to begin screening and possible confirmation of the nominees.
The exercise is billed to take three days.