Orji Kalu urges Tinubu to give Southeast one more ministerial slot

The former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to give the Southeast one more ministerial slot.

Kalu, however, praised Tinubu for showing that he understands Nigeria’s diversity with his ministerial list.

“For me, the president has demonstrated capacity of understanding the diversity and geographical spread of Nigeria,” Kalu said in a Facebook post.

“I know many people will be complaining that some zones get more, and some did not get more, yes, it is in order, the constitution provides that every state must have one.

“But I appeal that he should give southeast one more to be able to have the sixth one that they used to have.

“To be honest with you, the ministerial list has shown that the president will understand the fundamental problems of Nigerians. Tinubu has shown an understanding of the rudiments of political processes.”

Kalu also said that with the ministerial list, the president is setting an agenda, showing that he is ready to run again come 2027 even as Tinubu has shown a deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges of the nation’s polity.

Meanwhile, Tinubu on Friday nominated former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, as minister.

Tinubu announced this in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during the day’s plenary.

The president also withdrew the ministerial nomination of Maryam Shetty from Kano state and replaced her with Dr Mairiga Mahmud.

Keyamo and Mahmud’s nominations follow the recent submission of the second batch of ministerial nominees by President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday.