Cosmas Ekpunobi
26 September 2007
Abuja — Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd), ex-administrator of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) and several other loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo topped the list of 62 ambassadorial nominees presented to the Senate yesterday for confirmation by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
Similarly, former senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Seriki Rasaq yesterday made the list of three additional ministerial nominees presented to the Senate by the president for confirmation.
Rasaq's nomination may have ended the long speculation on who replaces a former nominee of the state, Bode Augusto who was unanimously rejected by the Senate.
Also on the ministerial list which was read on the floor of the Senate yesterday by its Senate President David Mark are Orubede Godsday (South South) and Odom Chuka Julius of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).
Among others on the ambassadorial list are former PDP governorship candidate Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos) former governor of Kano state Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Senate leader Dalhatu Tafida (Kaduna), former minister of transport Mrs. Kema Chikwe (Imo) and immediate past minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Joy Ogwu.
At least 42 out of the 62 nominees are non-careerists (politicians); 20 are core foreign service officers and civil servants.
Chieftains of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Hon. Fidel Ayogu, (Enugu) and Alhaji Abubakar Cika (Sokoto) also made the list of non career ambassadorial nominees now with the Senate.
The inclusion of the ANPP chieftain is said to be in keeping with the National Unity (GNU) project of President Yar'Adua.
Also on the list are former member of the House of Representatives Dr. Jerry Ugokwe (Anambra), and former chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) (Mrs) Esther Audu (FCT).
Others are Sen. Abdullahi Wali (Sokoto), Chief Empire Kanu (Abia), Etim Uye (Akwa Ibom), Aisha Abdullahi (Bauchi), Sen. Felix Oboro (Bayelsa), Prof. Iyorwuese Hargher (Benue ), Obed Wadzani, Soni Abang (Cross River), Godson Echegue (Delta), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (Ebonyi), Prince Eheneden Erediauwa (Edo), and Gen. Timothy Shelpidi (Gombe).
Also on the list are Toye Olofintuyi (Ekiti), Godwin Agbo ( Enugu ), Ahmed Malam (Jigawa), Abdullahi Aminchi (Katsina), Aliyu Muhammed (Kebbi), retired Gen. Yusuf Abubakar (Kogi), and Sen. Umaru Suleiman (Nasarawa).
Meanwhile Senate president Mark has warned that Senate would not hesitate to withhold confirmation of any of the nominees who attempted to bribe any senator in order to influence his or her confirmation by the Upper House.
Sen. Mark, in his quick remark after reading the names of the nominees, also urged senators not to accept any form of gratification from any of the ambassadorial nominees, insisting that Senate would be transparent and fair to all the nominees due for confirmation next week.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
