President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Mr Muazu Sambo from Taraba State as a minister-designate, having written to the Senate to seek his confirmation.
The ministerial nominee would likely be replacing either the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, also from Taraba State or the Minister of Agriculture, Sambo Nanono, who were both sacked in September by the president as part of the re-engineering efforts of the cabinet.
The President also in a letter asked the Senate to confirm the nomination of some National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the outgoing ones.
Buhari’s letters seeking the confirmation of the ministerial nominee and the INEC Commissioners were read by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, at the commencement of plenary on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
The INEC nominees are Malam Mohammed Haruna from Niger State as the North Central – National Commissioner, May Agbamuche Mbu, National Commissioner (Delta State); and Okeagu Kenneth Nnamdi, South East National Commissioner (Abia State).
Also appointed are Major General A.B. Alkali (rtd.) – Adamawa State, North East, National Commissioner; Professor Rada H. Gumus, Bayelsa State, South-South, National Commissioner; Mr Sam Olumeku, Ondo State, South West, National Commissioner; and Olaniyi Olaleye Ijalaye, Ondo State, South West (Resident Electoral Commissioner).
President Buhari equally sent the names of nominees of commissioners for the National Population Commission.
The nominees include Mr Benedict Opong, Mrs Gloria Izofor, Barr. Mrs Patricia O. Iyayan Kuchi, Dr Bala Haliru, and Dr Iyatayo Oyetunbi.
What you should know
Recall that earlier in September, President Buhari sacked the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman and Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, as part of the cabinet restructuring.
Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, the minister of environment, took over as the minister of agriculture and rural development while Abubakar Aliyu, the minister of state for works and housing, took over as the minister of power.