Cabinet, Amaechi, 16 others to know fate today

The Senate yesterday deferred the ministerial confirmation of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Mallam Adamu Adamu and 16 others to today.

Our correspondent reports that the Senators had on the October 14 confirmed 18 of the nominees two days into the commencement of the confirmation hearing.

The confirmation of the 18 others was deferred to today after the Senators screened the five remaining nominees namely, Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) Professor Anthony Gozie Anwuka (Imo), Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia), Muhammadu Musa Bello(Adamawa) and Ms. Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto).

Also to be confirmed today are Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim(Yobe), Claudius Omoleye Daramola, (Ondo), Geoffrey Onyeama,( Enugu), retired Brigadier General Mohammed M. Dan-Ali (Zamfara) Barrister James E. Ocholi (Kogi), Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (Kaduna), Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Borno), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa) Professor Isaac Adewole Folorunsho (Osun), Pastor Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River) and Abubakar Bwari Bawa(Niger).

The Oyo State nominee, Barrister Adebayo Shittu who was on the first ministerial list submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari would also be confirmed today.

At yesterday’s screening, only Ms. Aisha Abubakar was asked to take a bow and go after she delivered her introductory speech.

Adamu in an answer to a question from Senator Hope Uzodimma (PDP, Imo West) created drama on the floor. “Senator Hope has answered all his questions in his explanation,” Adamu said.

Meanwhile, Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held an emergency meeting ahead of today’s confirmation.

The meeting which was held at the Senate hearing room 1 was chaired by the Minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and lasted for about an hour.

It would be recalled that the PDP senators refused to participate in the question and answer session when Amaechi appeared for screening last Thursday.