Buhari finally releases List of Ministers with Fashola, Aregbesola, Amaechi, Lai Mohammed, Akpabio on board

Barely 48 hours after The DEFENDER’s Editorial titled, “Why Buhari mustn’t vindicate Saraki’s Senate Presidency” by his continuous delay in releasing his Ministerial List for Senate’s timely screening and confirmation, President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has finally unveiled those that will form the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with him for another four years term.

The DEFENDER Newspaper had warned, in the wake of Senate’s preparedness for its two-month annual recess beginning from Friday 26 July till end on 26 September 2019, against a situation where the country would be left directionless for four months should Senate proceed on its long vacation without the President transmitting his ministerial nominees to it for confirmation.

According to the editorial, no serious investor would want to invest in an unstable economy necessitated by lack of policy movers on seat. For this not to happen, the media organisation tasked the President to release whatever number of nominees he has in hand even if he has to send the remaining names later.

As a leader appearing to act by constructive criticisms, President Buhari Tuesday finally unveiled his Ministers in the list contained in a letter he sent to the Senate.

In the letter, former Ministers Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige, Lai Mohammed, Geoffrey Onyema, Hadi Sirika, Abubakar Malami, make the list of ministerial nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for confirmation.

The list of nominees was read by Senate President, Ahmed Lawan on Tuesday.

There are 43 nominees in all, with former Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Benue Governor George Akume and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and former minority leader Senator Godswill Akpabio, making the list.

Former Governor of Ekiti, Adeniyi Adebayo and senior lawyer and spokesman of the Buhari campaign, Festus Keyamo are also on the list.

With Buhari submitting the list this week, it means the Senate would have to postpone its scheduled two-month break.

The senate was scheduled to begin a two month recess on 26 July.

In line with the calendar, the National Assembly is to go on its annual recess on July 26 and resume on September 26.

Chairman, Senate ad hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, said the red chamber would proceed on its annual two-month recess if the Senate did not get the ministerial list by Friday.

He said: “If the list does not come before Friday, the Senate will proceed on its annual recess.”