Ministerial list: President drops 5 controversial nominees

President Goodluck Jonathan has dropped five controversial would-be ministers. The Senate is expected to get the list tomorrow.






The President’s decision was based on security reports on the nominees.

They include two candidates linked to the ongoing N9billion scam in the House of Representatives for which ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole is being tried.

Three others were implicated in the defiance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House members on zoning, which led to the election of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. The party preferred Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

The three candidates were alleged to have been part of the revolt in the House against the party.
The five nominees, whose names were kept under wraps yesterday, are being replaced.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The President has said that no nominee will be allowed to go through or be presented to the Senate, if he is being investigated for anything.

"Five of such nominees have already been dropped. Two are linked to the allegations against ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole; three worked against the party to ensure the emergence of Tambuwal."

It was gathered last night that members of the Lagos State chapter of the PDP and Lagos indigenes were adamant in their opposition to the return of the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.
They alleged that Aganga is not an indigene of Lagos and cannot take the slot meant for the state or represent the Southwest.

The party members and some members of Indigenous Association of Lagos, led by a retired Justice, are expected to seek audience with the President on the matter.

A source said: "Our position is that Aganga is from Sabongida-Ora in Edo State, as far as records on his parents are concerned. He has no basis to claim that he is from Lagos State.

"We bear no grudge against Aganga because he is eminently qualified as a Nigerian and a technocrat. But he cannot usurp the slot meant for Lagos State. The President is free to choose him as his nominee from Edo State.

"So, this time around, we want an indigene of Lagos as the ministerial candidate for the state. Aganga cannot even represent the Southwest.

"We want the President to appreciate our position and make amend accordingly. That is why we are seeking audience with the President on the peculiar challenge facing Lagos."

It could not be immediately ascertained whether the President will accede to the case of the Lagos indigenes.
A Presidency source confirmed that Aganga is one of the returnees to the cabinet. But he declined comments on the state he is to represent.

The official said: "The President has the constitutional prerogative to constitute his cabinet. No one can teach him who to choose or not.

"The baseline is that all the nominees must be bonafide Nigerians."
Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the President to constitute his cabinet to reflect the Federal Character Principle.

The Section says: "There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.

"Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President,

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