Ministerial screening: Senate drops El-Rufai, Danladi, Okotete’s nominations over security concerns

*Confirms 45 others

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate has stepped down the confirmation of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Elrufai, former acting Governor of Taraba State, Danladi Abubakar and former Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete, over security concerns against them.
Announcing the outcome of the screening exercise yesterday after the over one week exercise, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabío said the Senate confirmed forty five of the forty eight ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate by President Ahmed Bola Tínubu.
Those confirmed are: Akwa Ibom: Ekperikpe Ekpo, Bayelsa: Heineken Lokpobiri, Cross river: Betta Edu, Cross River: John Enoh, Edo: Abubakar Momoh, Rivers: Nyesom Wike, Adamawa: Tahir Mamman, Bauchi: Yusuf M Tuggar.
Others are: Bauchi: Ali Pate, Borno: Abubakar Kyari, Gombe: Alkali Ahmed Saidu, Taraba: Uba Maigari Ahmadu, Yobe: Ibrahim Geidam, Jigawa: Mohamed Badaru, Kano: Mariya Bunkure.
Also confirmed are: Kano: Abdullahi T Gwarzo, Katsina: Ahmad Dangiwa, Katsina: Hanatu Musawa, Kebbi: Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Kebbi: Atiku Bagudu, Sokoto: Bello M Goronyo, Zamfara: Bello Matawwalle, Abia: Nkiru Onyejiocha, Anambra: Uju Ohaneye, Ebonyi: David Umahi, Enugu: Uche Nnaji.
The Senate also confirmed the nominees of Imo: Doris Uzoka, Ekiti: Dele Alake, Lagos: Tunji Alausa, Lagos: Lola Ade John, Ogun: Ishak Salako, Ogun: Bosun Tijjani, Ogun: Olawale Edun, Ondo: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Osun: Adegboyega Oyetola, Oyo: Adebayo Adelabu, Benue: Joseph Utsev.
Also, nominees of FCT: Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, Kogi: Shuaibu A Audu, Kwara: Lateef Fagbemi, Nasarawa: Imaan S-Ibrahim, Niger: Mohammed Idris, Niger: Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Plateau: Simon Lalong and Delta: Festus Keyamo were cleared and confirmed.
Meanwhile, addressing journàlists after his confirmation, Keyamo said he had given up on becoming a Minister in President Tínubu’s government, adding that it is an act of benevolence for the President to have considered him.
While assuring that he will not disappoint the President and Nigerians generally, Keyamo said: “I thank the Senate for their magnanimous consideration and I also want to thank Mr President for his complete benevolence in giving me this rare opportunity to serve this nation.
“I cannot thank him enough. I want to make it clear that I will not disappoint Mr President; I will not disappoint the Senate; I promise, I will not.
He said he had learnt some lessons.
“In the bid and passion for both the executive and the legislature, to bring dividends of democracy to Nigerians and to ensure that Nigerians have the benefits of government programmes, perhaps some compromises are needed at all times other than the strict adherence to legality.
“Compromises are needed here and there for the purpose of bringing succour to Nigerians. Because when people hold to their sides because of legality, at times, it is Nigerians that suffer for it.
“I want to thank the Senate; I want to thank the Senate President and all the distinguished Senators for their magnanimity.”