Ambode To Replace Abiru, El-Rufai, Ganduje, Atiku, Wike Pencilled For Portfolios In Tinubu’s ‘Unveiled’ Cabinet

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will submit his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly this week or next week, bypassing state chapters and the APC national secretariat.

According to News, Tinunu and governors must submit ministerial and commissionerial nominees to the Senate or state House of Assembly within 60 days of taking the oath of office.

After 42 days, President Tinubu was sworn in on May 29.

The Guardian reported that former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai may have been on the final list. Former governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Muhammad Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).

However, former Ogun State governor Senator Gbenga Daniel is preferred over Senator Ibikunle Amosun for the ministerial list, while former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi is being considered for Foreign Affairs Minister.

Senator Tokunbo Abiru, a former bank executive from Lagos State, is expected to become the new Finance Minister. It was reported that his appointment as Minister would allow former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode to replace him as Senator for Lagos East.

Delta State’s party crisis has left ministerial appointments uncertain after scheming between two camps led by former deputy senate president Ovie Omo-Agege and Lauretta Onochie and Dr Cairo Ojougboh.

“From the top, the party may decide to pick Festus Keyamo, because he was presidential campaign spokesman and has been assisting the President to defend his case at the tribunal,” a reliable source said.

Since Omo-Agege is still fighting to “reclaim” his governorship mandate at the election tribunal, another bloc is supporting Otega Emerhor.

Sources in Cross River State indicated that interested parties included the immediate past governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; former senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; APC National Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu; a governorship aspirant in this year’s elections, Senator John Owan Enoh; former party chairman and ambassador, Soni Abang; immediate past Board Chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and one-time commissioner for Information, Akin Rocket; and renowned businessman and als

The Guardian found that Tinubu is open to politicians and thinkers who can help his administration achieve national cohesion. He may not rely on party members who helped him succeed in the region.

Tinubu has received ex-Enugu and Abia governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu. Based on his closeness to Tinubu and his efforts to unite the country as governor, Ugwuanyi is expected to make the list, but Ikpeazu may not.

However, former Minister Uche Ogar and 2023 governorship candidate Ikechi Emenike are at odds over party control in Abia.

The party is split. A source suggested the party sent the president two ministerial lists.
Ugwuanyi, who is not an APC member, may join Tinubu’s administration due to his charming demeanour.

Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim may be on the list in Ebonyi. Anyim’s closeness to the state’s immediate past governor, Dave Umahi, who will ultimately decide who is appointed, is a factor.

Governor Uzodimma will likely choose Imo’s minister.
The president may also consider other ministers due to the Anambra APC crisis. He met Olisa Metuh, former PDP National Publicity, last week.