By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has nominated a member of cabinet in the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Festus Keyamo as Minister.
Keyamo’s nomination is a replacement for Maryam Shetty who had earlier been screened by the Senate.
Keyamo served as Minister of State for Labour under Buhari’s administration, an office he said was illegal upon completion of his term of office.
According to Keyamo, a human rights lawyer, the Constitution of Nigeria does not make provision for the office of the Minister of State.
Also nominated as Minister is Dr Maigari Mahmud.
This was revealed when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out a letter by the President at Friday’s plenary session.
This came moments before the fourth round of screening commenced with a former governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, who mounted the podium at 12:14 pm.
Those awaiting screening also include former Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).
Others are Abdullahi Gwarzo, Bosun Tijani, Isiak Salako, Tunji Alausa, Yusuf Sununu, Ibrahim Geidam, Lola John, Shuaibu Audu, Tahir Mamman, Aliyu Abdullahi, Alkali Saidu, Maigari Ahmadu, and Zaphaniah Jisalo.
Shetty’s name was however withdrawn from the supplementary list of ministerial nominees without a reason.
