Ministerial Screening: Why Senate Declined Confirming El-Rufai
By Kabir Akintayo
The name of the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, was on Monday missing from the list of the ministerial nominees confirmed by the Senate.
Also missing on the list was the name of Senator Abubakar Danlandi from Taraba State and former Nexim Bank Managing Director, Stella Okotete (Delta State).
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, explained that the Red Chamber confirmed 45 names, while three others were still undergoing further legislative actions.
“Forty-eight names were, sent comprising both males and females, the three others are awaiting further legislative actions, which will be hinged on other arms of government, having given us all the necessary impetus to do the final screening.
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“But today, out of the 48 names sent, 45 have been confirmed and approved as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This will be communicated to the President alongside the three other names which are still awaiting further legislative actions.” Daramola said.
POLITICS DIGEST reliable gathered that, the unconfirmed nominees are currently undergoing security checks.
It could be recalled that, during the ministerial screening, a lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, moved against the former Kaduna State governor.
Karimi, after El-Rufai’s presentations, stood up and told the chamber that he had a petition written against the former governor over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna.
“I have a very strong petition against you that borders on security, unity and cohesiveness of the Nigerian nation.
“And I think that the petition has to be considered in this screening exercise.” Karimi said.
