JUST-IN: Senate postpones ministerial screening

The Nigerian Senate has rescheduled its screening of ministerial nominees to Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm.

Originally set for today, the postponement aims to allow nominees to finalize their documentation and pre-screening processes, ensuring all necessary paperwork is submitted.

This update was shared in a statement by Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters. The decision provides additional time for the nominees to meet the Senate’s requirements for the screening process.

The statement is titled “Postponement of Ministerial Screening.”

Lado said, “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, 22noon prompt.”

The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation.

Recall that the Special Adviser to the President had on Monday disclosed in a statement that the screening will hold today.

His statement on Monday read, “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 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).”

Recall that President Tinubu had written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja on Wednesday.

President Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read last Thursday during plenary.

According to the letter, the ministerial nominees were Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others were Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing; and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

President Tinubu in the letter had sought expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.

Accordingly, as announced by Akpabio, the Senate immediately referred the presidential request to the committee of the whole for consideration.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon.”