The Senate Wednesday approved and confirmed 18 ministerial nominees for membership of President MUhammadu Buhari’s administration.
At the screening which started Tuesday, the senate grilled the 18 after which they were confirmed for position in the new federal executive council (FEC) to be constituted by President Buhari.
Those confirmed are Udo Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Ogbonanya Onu, Osagie Ehanire, Abdulrahaman Dambazau, Lai Mohammed and Amina Mohammed.
Others are Suleman Hussein Adamu, Ibrahim Usman JUbril, Babatunde Fashola, Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeoshun and Hadi Sirika.
The senate, however deferred to Thursday, the screening of Rotimi Amaechi until the outcome of the investigation into the petition against his nomination is ready.
The screening was a homecoming for nominees that were prior to this time, a senator as it was exchange of banters with the usual a “take a bow” for former parliamentarian.
Amaechi’s nomination is being protested by “Integrity Group”, in a petition which alleged that Amaechi had not answered questions on alleged financial misappropriation when he was governor of Rivers state.
As at Wednesday when Amaechi is to defend his nomination, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has not submited its report on the petition against the former Rivers state governor.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sam Anyanwu, while briefing the senate, said that the committee could not meet on Tuesday following the late adjournment of plenary.
“as at the time of adjournment of plenary, most of the members of the committee were too tired to meet”.
He promised that the committee would meet on Wednesday to finalise the report on Amaechi and submit it on Thursday to enable his screening.
Among the nominees to be screened are Chris Ngige, former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola and Ibe Kachikwu.
In another development, President Muhammadu Buhari has withdrawn the name of immediate past Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto from his ministerial list. He has also replaced him with Abubakar Bawa Bwari
President Buhari Wednesday sent the letter of notification of the withdrawal to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Ibeto was among the first batch of the 21 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate President on September 30 by President Buhari.
Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who was among the second batch of 16 nominees announced by Senate President Tuesday and also hails from Niger State is the replacement.
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