IT was a huge surprise to many senators yesterday when at the mention of the name of a former colleague of theirs as a ministerial nominee, Senator Sanusi Daggash, out of a total of 33, shouts of “No” rent the air. The protesters were said to have been opposed to him because he allegedly worked against the National Assembly when he was the Minister of National Planning between 2007 and 2008.
But Monday, next week, will determine the fate of the 24 fresh nominees, and nine returnees as the Upper House breaks with tradition to sit on Monday instead of Tuesday.
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter presenting his nominees for screening and read on the floor by Senate President David Mark reads:
“You would please recall that on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, the Executive Council of the Federation was dissolved with a promise that the Council would soon be re-constituted.
“Accordingly, in line with the provisions of Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby forward herewith, the names of the first batch of nominees for appointment as ministers of the government of the federation for the consideration and confirmation of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“For ease of clarity and reference, these nominees are grouped as follows:
“Re-appointments: Mrs. Fidelia Akuabata Njeze (Enugu), Elder Godsday Orubebe (Delta), Arch. Nuhu Somo Wya (Kaduna), Adetokunbo Kayode (Ondo), Henry Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) (Rivers), Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi (Osun), Mrs. Diezeani Allison-Madukwe (Bayelsa), Dr. Shamsudeen Usman (Kano), Prof. Dora Akunyili (Anambra).
“New appointments: Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Nwogu (Abia), Iyom Josephine Anenih (Anambra), Mr. Labaran Maku (Nassarawa), Eng. Chris Ogiemwonyi (Edo), Alhaji Suleiman Bello (Zamfara), Alhaji Murtala Yar’Adua (Katsina), Senator Sanusi Daggash (Borno), Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hon. Nduese Essien (Akwa Ibom), Mrs. Josephine Tapgun (Plateau), Mohammed Bello Adoke (Kogi), Navy Capt. Ernest Olubolade (Ekiti), Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga (Lagos), Prof. M.K. Abubakar (Kebbi), Alhaji Adamu Waziri (Yobe), Alhaji Umar Aliyu (Taraba), Awodele Najim Adewole Alao (Ogun), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed (Gombe), Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto), Prof. Rukaya Rufai (Jigawa), Arch. Musa Sad’aa (Katsina), Prof. Sheikh Abdulah ( Niger), Capt. Emmanuel Iheneacho (Imo), Senator Jubril Martins Kuye (Ogun).
However, it was meant to be a dinner for the principal officers of the Senate and Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to fraternise over a light meal and drinks. But as it turned out, it was a political meeting that led to the increase of ministerial nominees from 25 to 33.
It was also an opportunity for the Acting President to thank the senators for their efforts to stabilise the polity, according to one of the persons who attended the dinner,who pleaded anonymity.
“He was referring to the role we played when it became obvious that the country was on the brink and we used the doctrine of necessity to announce him as Acting President, and the House of Representatives followed suit and tension was reduced in the land.”
It was learnt also that the lawmakers’ comments on the list of nominees led to its withdrawal for about 12 hours for a re-presentation yesterday morning which brought eight fresh names.
“We mentioned to him what we perceive will be the problem areas of the country, and he promised to look at the issues,” the source added.
He added that the senior senators also raised issues on one of the nominees who is believed to have put lawmakers in bad light by telling President Umaru Yar’Adua how legislatorspad budgets.
“We were surprised he still presented the man’s name. That man has been going around pleading with our colleagues to forgive his past sins. I hope he survives the screening next week,” the source said.
This is the second time the head of the Executive arm will pay a visit to the official residence of the head of the Legislature.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo attended a dinner party when the late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo officially opened his official residence.