President Bola Tinubu may create new government ministries, his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, hinted on Thursday.
Mr Gbajabiamila stated this on Channels TV after submitting the names of 28 ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation.
“Mr President intends to separate portfolios or restructure the ministries in such a way you might be hearing of new ministries that were not standalone ministries before,” the former lawmaker hinted. “So the process continues.”
The incomplete list of ministers was hurriedly submitted to the red chamber to beat the 60-day deadline constitutionally spelt out for the appointment of ministers.
Mr Tinubu, who took his oath of office on May 29 is constitutionally empowered to appoint a minister from each states of the federation and is expected to name his cabinet members on or before July 28.
Speaking further, the former speaker of the House of Representatives said the names of the remaining ministerial nominees will soon be forwarded to Senate.
“As you know, he had 60 days from the time of inauguration, as stipulated in the Constitution. He has fulfilled that requirement of the constitution by submitting 28 names today.
“As his letter stated, and was read on the floor of the Senate, the remaining names, not sure how many, probably about 12, maybe 13, will be forwarded to the Senate in the coming days.
“As far as the nominees themselves are concerned, and like I said, Mr President took his time to sift through those names,” Gbajabiamila stated.
Those that made the 28 minister-nominees include Abubakar Momoh, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Ahmed Dangiwa, Hannatu Musawa, Chief Uche Nnaji, Dr Betta Edu, Dr Doris Aniche Uzoka, David Umahi, and Nyesom Wike.
Others are Badaru Abubakar, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, Ekperipe Ekpo, Nkeiruka Onyejocha, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Stella Okotette, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, Mr Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Mr Dele Alake, and Mr Lateef Fagbemi.
