After Akpabio, Akume meeting, Senate may announce Tinubu’s ministerial list today

The Nigerian Senate may announce the list of nominees for ministerial positions from President Bola Tinubu today, according to sources.

Tinubu, who succeeded former President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, May 29, is expected to send the list of individuals to serve as ministers in the government to the Senate within his first 60 days in office as mandated by the Nigerian constitution.

Secretary to the government of the federation George Akume on Wednesday disclosed that he met with Senate president Godswill Akpabio over the ministerial list.

“Exciting times ahead! Another productive meeting with The Senate President ahead of the ministerial nominees submission to the National Assembly,” Akume tweeted.

“The Executive and Legislature joining forces to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the people.”

Exciting times ahead! Another productive meeting with The Senate President, @SPNigeria ahead of the ministerial nominees submission to the @nassnigeria. 🏛️ The Executive and Legislature joining forces to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the people. #RenewedHope pic.twitter.com/S9fRqB6OLC

— Senator Dr. George Akume (@SGFAkume) July 26, 2023

The president has so far appointed 20 aides as special advisers serving in different functions since June. The new appointments include those of senior special assistants (SSAs), personal assistants (PAs), personal physicians, and photographers.

Sources said the ministerial list had been ready for more than a week but the names were undergoing checks by security agencies of government.

While the list is yet to be made public, there are speculations that about five former governors have been picked by President Tinubu to serve in the government.

Amid the rumours, Tinubu’s special adviser on communication Dele Alake in early July urged Nigerians to ignore some unauthorised list of ministerial nominees being circulated on social media.

“About the ministerial list, there is no iota of truth in all of those things. When the President is good and ready, you will be the first to know about his intentions,” Alake said.

“I can tell you all of those things you’ve been reading in the media are mere fabrications. This is an executive presidency; we’re not running a parliamentary system. So, the President, the bucks stops on his table, and he decides when it’s fit and proper for him to make his cabinet list.”