Senate confirms Gusau, Wali, 9 others as ministers

*Shekarau may replace Salik

The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Gen. Mohammed Aliyu Gusau (rtd) as minister along with 10 others nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Among those confirmed by the Senate are former Adamawa State governor Mr. Boni Haruna, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Ambassador Aminu Wali, former House leader Mohammed Wakil and Mrs. Lawrencia Labaran Mallam from Kaduna State.

Others are Dr. Khaliru Alhassan from Sokoto, Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan from Osun State, Mrs Akon Etim Eyakenyi from Akwa Ibom, T. W. Danagogo from Rivers and Asabe Asmau Ahmed from Niger.

The Senate however, differed the screening of Hajiya Jamila Salik from Kano State indefinitely without giving reasons but sources in the Senate told Daily Trust that President Goodluck Jonathan had asked the leadership to put on hold her screening as she is likely to be replaced by former Kano State governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau who recently defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Attempts by the three All Progressives Congress senators representing Osun State to reject the confirmation of Alhaji Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan were rebuffed by Senate President David Mark.

Senator Sola Adeyeye (APC, Osun) had informed his colleagues of their unanimous rejection of nomination of Adesiyan as a minister.

Adeyeye argued that based on the senate’s convention, the nominee should not be confirmed since the three of them are opposed to it because they don’t believe he can add any value to the government and that he was also accused of assassinating late Chief Bola Ige.

Adesiyan had denied the allegation last week during his screening.

Mark countered Senator Adeyeye saying the Senate had through a voice vote endorsed the nomination and cautioned against turning the red chamber into a law court where it “prosecutes and discharges” people.