Controversy has trailed the confirmation of the Ministerial nominees of Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Upper Chamber, the Senate.
Of the 48-man list submitted to the Senate by the President, 45 have been ratified by the Upper Chamber, while the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State and the ministerial nominee from Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is one among the three nominees who are yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
After going through seven days of screening for the ministerial nominees sent by the President, the Senate did not confirm El-Rufai and two others, namely, former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Senator Abubakar Danladi one of the ministerial nominees from Delta State, Stella Okotete.
The President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, cited issues relating to security clearance as grounds why the Senate did not give the ratification.
Meanwhile, in the screening which has lasted for seven days, the Senate has confirmed 45 of the 48-man list, key among which include immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
The Deputy Majority Senate Leader and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi; former Minister of state, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo; and Dele Alake as Ministers Designate.
On Sunday, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC), and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria had raised alarm, expressing disappointment over what they termed appointment and nomination of personalities believed to be corrupt and persons with questionable integrity.
The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had said they found it appalling that some of the names sent by the President to the National Assembly to be screened for ministerial positions have corruption related cases to answer with anti-graft agencies.
They feared the development would further damage Nigeria’s image in the International space, while expressing worry about the effect that such ill-thought actions will have on the morale of anti-corruption agencies in the country.
Although the Presidential spokespersons during the campaign towards the election, including Dele Alake and Festus Keyamo had boasted Tinubu would constitute his Cabinet before 60 days in office.
The President is still yet to constitute same as his submission of nominees to the Senate only took place late last month when on Thursday 27th July barely 24hours to the deadline set by the new amendment to the 1999 constitution.