Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, revealed that the decision to omit the nominees’ portfolios in the letter to the Senate was based on the desire to allow room for reviews. He made this statement on Thursday in Abuja after submitting the ministerial list to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila emphasized that this approach enables flexibility in appointing individuals to specific offices, as it allows the President the liberty to reconsider and make changes if necessary. He highlighted that such a method prevents the need for re-screening in case of any alterations.
‘’For instance, if I decide I want somebody as Minister of Labour, and then after sending the name, later on, I decide that this person would actually be better with another portfolio. And meanwhile, the Senate has screened that person for that particular initial portfolio?
“What happens then? Do you now re-screen the person? So, a lot of these things have their merits and demerits.’’
He also hinted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration may create new ministries from the existing ones.
Gbajabiamila said, ‘’Mr. President intends to separate portfolios or restructure the ministries in such a way you might be hearing of new ministries that were not standalone ministries before. So the process continues.’’
Gbajabiamila said that the nominees were chosen after undergoing strict personal screening by the President.
He said that a second part comprising 13 names would be sent to the assembly, adding that this was part of the process of having a cabinet for the administration.
He said, “As you know he had 60 days from the time of inauguration, as stipulated in the constitution. He has fulfilled that requirement of the constitution by submitting 28 names today.
‘’As his letter stated, and was read on the floor of the Senate, the remaining names, not sure how many, probably about 12, maybe 13, will be forwarded to the Senate in the coming days.
“As far as the nominees themselves are concerned, and like I said, Mr President took his time to sift through those names.’’
