Tinubu’s Ministerial List: Senators At Cross Road Over Yearly Recess

Senators are reportedly at a crossroad over the delayed ministerial list of President Bola Tinubu.

Indications have emerged that while some senators are proposing a suspension of their yearly recess, others have disagreed.

Naija News reports that the President has a deadline to meet today to submit his ministerial list to the Senate.

This is in accordance with Section 42 of the Constitution as amended, that states “(a) The nomination of any person to the office of a Minister for confirmation by the Senate shall be done within sixty days after the date the President has taken the oath of office; (b) not less than ten per cent of persons appointed as Ministers shall be women: Provided that the President may appoint a Minister at any other time during his tenure and such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

Recall that Secretary to the government of the federation George Akume on Wednesday disclosed that he met with Senate president Godswill Akpabio over the ministerial list.

Akume took to Twitter to disclose that “Exciting times ahead! Another productive meeting with The Senate President ahead of the ministerial nominees’ submission to the National Assembly.

“The Executive and Legislature joining forces to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the people.”

Tinubu is faced with the constitutional deadline of July 27 to transmit the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

However, some political observers have expressed reservations that the President might not constitute the Federal Executive Council (FEC) till September after the Senate resumes from recess.

According to The Guardian, sources reveal that some Senators were said to be considering the options of suspending their yearly recess to screen and confirm ministerial nominees should President Tinubu transmit the list to the chamber today.

However, sources at the Senate hinted that opinions are divided on whether or not the Senate should proceed with the recess even if the list of ministerial nominees is read out today (Thursday).

While some senators want a formal request for re-convening the Senate for screening of the nominees to be sent to individual senator, a move that will cost the nation more if they are recalled, others in support of the Senate leadership wants the recess to be suspended so that the screening can begin immediately.

It was also gathered that some senators have started exploring other options for assisting the new administration in the early formation of its cabinet.

By the Senate’s procedure and tradition, screening of nominees for ministerial appointments is done in the Committee of the Whole. This means that the screening cannot be referred to any of its standing committees, a development that is compelling the Senate to ask all its members to be present at the screening.

Meanwhile, some political observers have asserted that should President Tinubu fail to submit his ministerial list today, he could face impeachment by the 10th National Assembly as the Constitution will have been breached.