WHY TINUBU DID NOT INCLUDE PORTFOLIOS ON THE LIST OF MINISTERS — GBAJABIAMILA

Tunji Wusu –

President Bola Tinubu reportedly did not attach portfolios to the ministerial nominations given to the senate for consideration since ministers do not have permanent postings, according to Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila.

After delivering the ministerial list to Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, on Thursday, Mr. Gbajabiamila spoke with the media.

Despite the lack of related portfolios, Mr. Tinubu submitted 28 cabinet nominees for Senate approval.

The president wants to keep the flexibility to rearrange his cabinet or ministers, according to Mr. Gbajabiamila, who also noted that attaching portfolios to officials may make matters more difficult.

The President is free to alter his opinion, so what happens if you change your mind? Do you then bring the person back for screening again?

For instance, Mr. Gbajabiamila added, “let’s say I decide I want someone to be Minister of Labour, and then after sending the name, I decide that, you know what, I didn’t know this about this person, this person would actually be better with another portfolio.”

He stated that while the screening is taking place, the president’s team would work on appropriate portfolios for each nominee.

Some have criticized the president’s roster for including more politicians than technocrats.

About four former governors and numerous former and present members of the National Assembly are included on the current list.

Speaking about the make-up of the nominees, Mr. Gbajabiamila claimed that the list that is being presented to the legislature is a mix of politicians and technocrats.

“There’s a fair balance of technocrats and folks with political savvy. Thus, he responded, “This is a nice balance.

The Senate was urged by Mr. Gbajabiamila to expedite the confirmation procedure.

There are no nominees for ministers in eleven states. They consist of the states of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Gombe, Kano, and Kebbi.

Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Yobe, Plateau, and Zamfara states are among the others.

Every state is required under the 1999 Constitution to have at least one minister.