Saraki: I won’t reveal names till Tuesday

The Senate has finally received the list of ministerial nominees but the Senate President Bukola Saraki said the names would not be made public until Tuesday.

The list came well after the Senate had adjourned sitting to Tuesday. Today being Independence Day is a public holiday.

Our correspondent reports that as a rule the communication/ letter from the President is only read on the floor during plenary.

The list was presented to Saraki yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

The President’s

emissaries had a brief meeting with Saraki before presenting the list.

The meeting held behind closed door and only the trio were in attendance. No Senator and Aide of Saraki were present.

Saraki had in his twitter handle around 5.20pm confirmed receiving the list.

In a phone interview, the Special Adviser to Saraki on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu said the list will not be made public until Tuesday during plenary.

Our correspondent reports that the failure to reveal the names of the nominees will continue to fuel speculations regarding who is is in and who is out.

Names of those who are said to be on the list are Kayode Fayemi, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rotimi Amaechi, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Charles Soludo. Others are Babatunde Fashola, Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige, are also being mentioned as possible names on the list.

Daily Trust reports that the list may contain surprises when it is fully released as developments in the recent appointments by the president showed.