By virtue of one of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended), , which specifically states that ” a President or Governor , must forward list of nominees for ministerial or commissioners’ positions , within 60 days of his or her assumption of office “, President Tinubu has just four days more to do that.
This is as feelers from the Presidency indicate that intense lobbying mounted on Tinubu and close aides by politicians eyeing the appointments , is not only delaying release of names of nominees but getting the President somewhat confused on who to pick from many of the lobbyists across the 36 States of the federation.
Sixty days window for nomination of nominees for ministerial positions by President after assumption of office , was added to provisions of the 1999 Constitution through amendment to that effect by the 9th National Assembly, which was concurred to, by 27 out of the 36 States Houses of Assembly and assented to, by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March this year.
Specifically , the 60 days window given for nominations of Ministers at the Federal level by the President and Commissioners by Governors who took oath of office on the 29th of May, 2023, expires on Friday July 28, 2023.
Even the Senate which is constitutionallly saddled with responsibility of screening and confirming appointments of nominees for ministeral positions , is preparing to embark on yearly long recess on Thursday this week in line with legislative calendar for both chambers of the National Assembly.
The 10th Senate may however follow the template used by the 9th Senate four years ago for screening of nominees if forwarded to them this week , through extension of sittings for at least one week after July 27.
The much expected list was thought to have been received by the Senate last week Thursday when it went into closed door session during plenary but Senators after the Session at seperate interviews , said no deliberations was made on ministerial list at the executive session.
Specifically, Senator Victor Umeh (LP Anambra Central), at a media briefing after plenary last Thursday, said nothing on ministerial List was mentioned at the closed door session by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, just as Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South), told the Blueprint that the list had not in anyway, find its way into the National Assembly.
