Source aily Champion (Lagos)

Nigeria: Jonathan Unveils List of New Ministers

By Cosmas Epkunobi

24 March 2010

After days of waiting, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sent a list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for clearance and confirmation.

Daily Champion gathered from Presidency sources that the list had earlier been sent to the State Security Services (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) for scrutiny.

Jonathan, acting to expectation, shocked members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Wednesday when after a long drawn meeting, he thanked them for service to their fatherland and dissolved the council.

Though some of the ministers confessed they were taken by surprise, Jonathan had ordered that they hand over to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries.The Daily Nation

Though there has been no official confirmation of the names on the list, however, Daily Champion learnt that only seven of the sacked ministers may stage a comeback.

The new names, Daily Champion gathered, will consist more of technocrats and professionals who are drawn from the private sector.

Already, Mrs. Diezani Allision-Madueke, said to be a long time ally of the Acting President, is listed as one of the former ministers who will likely make a comeback along with Mrs. Fidelia Njeze who last served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Works.

Others being touted to have likely made the list include Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said to be a loyalist of former President Olusegun Obasanjo-boy, with Odein Ajumogobia who is an ally of former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili.

Another possible returnee is Godsday Orubebe.

Also, the managing director of London-based Goldman Sachs, Olusegun Aganga, is being touted as Finance Minister, while there are possibilities that former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku and Prof. M. K Abubakar may be on the list.

Meanwhile, Senate Spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze confirmed that the nominee list had been received at the Senate but declined to give insights into names contained on it.

However, he said the Senate may give accelerated clearance due to the urgent attention the list demands noting that the senate may devote an entire week to conclude the screening and ensure immediate constitution of the federal executive council.

Some of the nominees

• Josephine Anenih (Anambra)

• N. S Olubode (Ekiti State)

• Chris Ogiemwoyi (Edo)

• Ndanusa Alao (Kogi)

• Muritala Yar’Adua (Katsina)

• Nduesi Essien (Akwa Ibom)

• Umaru Aliyu (Taraba)

• Abubakar Saidi Mohammed (Gombe)

• Olusegun Aganga

•Nuhu Somo Waya

•Godswill Orubebe

•Adetokunbo Kayode,

•Odein Ajumogobia,

•Mrs. Deziani Allison- Madueke,

•Fidelia Nzeze,

•Labaran Maku(Katsina)

•Prof. M. K Abubakar (Kaduna)