Surprises as Jonathan alters ministerial list

Written by  Taiwo Adisa and Olawale Rasheed

President Goodluck Jonathan is set to shock Nigerians with the yet to be unveiled ministerial list following indications that the president has decided to do away with some popularly mentioned names so far.

It emerged in Abuja that one of the popularly mentioned names from Osun Sstate has been dropped while the security agencies have been asked to screen a fresh name.

Sources, however, indicated that Lagos and Kano states are to have two nominees in the new cabinet.

Sources hinted that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghazi Umar Na'Abba and Nigerian Ambassador to China, Amb. Aminu Wali, may make the list from Kano.

It was, however, learnt that a number of nominees have not been sent to the security for screening and that some names would have to be unveiled in the Senate before they are made to face screening.

It was gathered that while the president had asked ministers who were wiling to contest governorship seats to indicate before the end of last year, many of those expected to throw in the towel developed cold feet.

It was gathered that the ministers had wanted some sort of presidential assurance that they would be assisted to clinch the seats.

Checks by the Nigerian Tribune showed that mostly names previously not mentioned are expected to make the list. President Goodluck Jonathan had while meeting delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party from the North-West zone disclosed that the ministerial list will be sent to the lawmakers once they resume this week.

In Sokoto State, reports indicated that instead of Senator Abubakar Gada, who is mentioned as the nominee, a former governorship aspirant is said to be on the list. In Adamawa State, a new nominee is reported to have been nominated as different from a nominee originally submitted by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

A former House Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Mohammed Wakil, is reported to be on the list for Borno State while controversies trailed the alleged inclusion of former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as a nominee from Lagos State.

For Osun State, a nominee previously mentioned was reportedly dropped on account of allegedly dropping the name of the president and due to reported plans of the president to ensure religious balance in the ministerial composition from the South-West.

Ref: Nigeria world