Ministerial Screening Postponed, Says Senate

Seven cabinet nominees were to be screened by the Senate on Tuesday, but the screening has been postponed to Wednesday.

Citing reasons for the postponement in a personally signed statement, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, said the postponement was to allow the nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercise.

The statement, titled “Postponement of Ministerial Screening,” reads: “The scheduled screening of ministerial nominees has been postponed by the Senate.

“This is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.”

“The screening has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12 noon prompt. We appreciate your understanding and patience,” it added.

The seven ministerial nominees recently submitted to the Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour and Employment); Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State, Foreign Affairs); and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Investment).

The other nominees are Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development); Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development); and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (State, Education).

The Punch reports that the nominees started to arrive at the National Assembly complex with their family members, friends, and acquaintances at around 9 am.

Following the announcement, the disappointed, gorgeously dressed nominees and their entourage hung around the premises, taking pictures and videos.