Ministerial screening: Senate takes fresh decision over El-Rufai, others

Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Senate, has indicated that the Red Chamber is considering the possibility of re-inviting the three ministerial nominees who have not yet received confirmation for re-screening. Adaramodu shared this information during an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast program, Sunrise Daily.

The Senate had previously declined to confirm the nominations of Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State; Stella Okotete, the nominee from Delta State; and Abubakar Danladi, the nominee from Taraba State. The decision was grounded in security concerns surrounding these nominees.

Responding to questions about whether the Senate would eventually confirm these nominees, Adaramodu stated, “The question raised about them is an ongoing issue. So, once the Senate is satisfied, definitely, if we need to invite them to the chamber for the re-confirmation and re-screening, then we’ll do that. If security is not satisfied, the Senate cannot be satisfied. It depends on what security agencies and the person that nominates them say.”

In a significant move, the Senate recently approved and confirmed 45 ministerial nominees put forward by President Bola Tinubu, following a voice vote. However, the confirmations of El-Rufai and the two other nominees were withheld pending “security clearance.”