The Senate has postponed the screening of ministerial nominees that was originally scheduled for Tuesday.
The delay, now moved to the following day, is intended to allow the nominees to complete all necessary documentation and ensure a thorough pre-screening process.
This announcement was made in a statement signed on Tuesday by Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters.
The screening is now set to take place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
Lado stated, “The scheduled screening of ministerial nominees has been postponed by the Senate to allow all nominees to conclude their documentation and pre-screening exercises.”
The statement, titled “Postponement of Ministerial Screening,” further noted that the screening would commence promptly at noon.
The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding and cooperation regarding the postponement.
It is worth recalling that the Special Adviser had announced on Monday that the screening was to occur today.
In his previous statement, Lado confirmed that the ministerial nominees had begun submitting their documentation ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate.
He emphasised that the nominees were in the process of submitting relevant documents as the first step in the screening and confirmation procedures mandated by Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
President Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate, requesting the screening and subsequent confirmation of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja.
The president’s request was detailed in a letter addressed to Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, which was read during last Thursday’s plenary session.
The nominees include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Other nominees are Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State for Housing; and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education.
In his letter, President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite consideration of his request.
As announced by Akpabio, the Senate has referred the presidential request to the committee of the whole for consideration.
He stated, “Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon.”