Senate may reinvite El Rufai, two others for ministerial screening

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Abubakar Danladi from Taraba State, and ex-Nexim Bank Managing Director, Stella Okotete (Delta State), the three ministerial nominees being stepped after the Senate screening may be reinvited for the exercise by the upper legislative chamber.

On Monday, 45 ministerial appointees of President Bola Tinubu were approved and confirmed by the Senate after a voice vote. Although the ministerial nominees were sent in three batches, the Senate sat for extended session for six legislative days to screen and confirm the misterial nominees

However, at the end of the exercise, the names of former Governor El Rufai, Okotete and Danladi withheld from ministerial confirmation, pending “security clearance”.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday, Senate’s Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the three ministerial nominees yet to be confirmed may be reinvited.

Adaramodu said the question raised about the trio is an ongoing issue.

He said once the Senate is satisfied and there is a need to invite them to the chamber for the re-confirmation and re-screening, then it will be done.

Adaramodu added that “if security is not satisfied, Senate cannot be satisfied and that it depends on what security agencies and the person that nominates them say.”

Meanwhile, the 45 nominees cleared by the Senate are Festus Keyamo, Mariya Mahmoud, Lola Ade-John, Bosun Tijani, Isiak Salako, Tahir Mamman, Maigari Ahmadu, Zephaniah Jisalo, Shuaibu Audu, Yusuf Sununu, Bello Matawalle, Alkali Saidu, Ahmed Gwarzo, Atiku Bagudu, Simon Lalong, Ibrahim Gaidam, Aliu Abdullahi, Gboyega Oyetola, Heineken Lokpobiri and Tunji Alausa.

Others are Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Dave Umahi, Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Adebayo Adelabu, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa, Musa Dangiwa, Nyesom Wike; Abuba