New insights have surfaced regarding President Bola Tinubu’s approach to selecting ministerial nominees from each state across the federation.
After approximately two months in office, Tinubu initially submitted a list of 28 nominees to the Senate. Subsequently, he forwarded an additional batch of 19 nominees for screening and approval by the upper chamber of the National Assembly. The third list, however, contained only a single name.
The nominations received a mixed reception, with some Nigerians expressing satisfaction, while others voiced disappointment. Notably, numerous members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) felt let down, as they believed their contributions to Tinubu’s electoral victory were overlooked. Sources indicate that although Tinubu may have applied what was termed a “Lagos template” in his nominations, he potentially underestimated the distinctions between Lagos and the entirety of Nigeria.
Furthermore, insiders revealed that Tinubu had to take into account certain former governors, particularly those hailing from the Northern region, who played a significant role in securing his electoral success.
One source specifically noted, “Upon careful examination of the initial list, it becomes evident that many of those nominated are former members of the erstwhile Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party, who have stood by Tinubu for numerous years, if not decades. That approach was suitable during the past.”
“The President could not disregard prominent figures such as former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; ex-Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle; and Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State. These individuals actively supported and delivered their respective states for Tinubu.” Another source asserted that omitting el-Rufai or Wike from the list might have led to potential issues, prompting their inclusion.
