The Senate has announced the postponement of its scheduled screening of ministerial nominees, originally planned for today.
The rescheduling to the following day will allow nominees additional time to submit all necessary documentation and complete pre-screening formalities.
This update was provided in a statement issued on Tuesday by Senator Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters. According to the statement, the screening is now set for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
The statement, titled “Postponement of Ministerial Screening,” read, “The scheduled screening of ministerial nominees has been postponed by the Senate. This is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises. The screening has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 30th, 12 noon prompt.”
The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters expressed appreciation for the public’s patience and cooperation.
Previously, Senator Lado had confirmed in a Monday statement that the screening would commence today, stating, “The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Sen. Basheer Lado, CON, has confirmed that ministerial nominees have commenced documentation ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate, which commences on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. He stated that the nominees were already submitting relevant documents as the first in the series of procedures for the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees. The nominees are expected to be screened and confirmed by the Senate in compliance with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).”
Last week, President Tinubu formally requested the Senate to screen and confirm seven ministerial nominees. The request, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary, asked for a swift review of the nominees.
The nominees listed in President Tinubu’s letter include:
– Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
– Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment
– Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu as Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
– Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development
– Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development
– Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State, Housing
– Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State, Education
Akpabio had directed that the presidential request be referred to the committee of the whole for consideration, stating, “Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon.”
