President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted a significant meeting on Wednesday, involving two former governors: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
The meeting took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Notably, the timings of their arrivals were distinct, with Wike reaching the Villa around 1.40 pm and El-Rufai entering at approximately 2 pm.
Background of Ministerial Nomination and Senate Confirmation
Both El-Rufai and Wike had been included among the 48 ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate for the crucial processes of screening and confirmation.
However, out of these, the Senate confirmed 45 individuals, declining to endorse El-Rufai and two others, citing security concerns as the basis for their decision.
Discussion of Senate’s Refusal to Confirm El-Rufai’s Nomination
Reports indicate that the primary motive behind Wike’s and El-Rufai’s visit to President Tinubu revolved around the Senate’s denial of confirmation for El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination.
Although no official explanation has been provided for their visit, reliable sources within the Presidential Villa suggest a connection between the visit and El-Rufai’s nomination.
A senior adviser to the President commented on the matter, stating that the visit aimed to address the Senate’s decision regarding El-Rufai’s nomination.
While the precise outcome of the meeting remained undisclosed, the adviser expressed confidence in a resolution being reached.
Expectations for El-Rufai’s Confirmation and Senate’s Stance
On the topic of when El-Rufai might secure Senate confirmation, the senior adviser refrained from providing a definitive answer but expressed optimism about the situation being resolved in due course.
Separately, the Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, indicated that the Red Chamber might consider reinviting the yet-to-be-confirmed nominees for a fresh screening.
El-Rufai’s Potential Rejection of Ministerial Appointment
Reports from the Peoples Gazette have emerged, suggesting that El-Rufai is contemplating the rejection of the ministerial appointment even if his security clearance is ultimately granted for Senate confirmation.
Sources cited by the news platform suggest that El-Rufai is displeased with the delay in his senatorial screening, which has cast doubt on his security status as a prominent Nigerian political figure.
An anonymous source revealed that El-Rufai anticipates receiving a green light from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and subsequently securing Senate confirmation.
However, he reportedly intends to withhold his decision to decline the ministerial role until after his confirmation is achieved.
This move is perceived as a measure to ensure that the confirmation process is not further disrupted by pre-emptive declarations.
Read More On The Topic On TDPel Media
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn