MINISTERIAL LIST UPDATE TODAY: 42-Names President Tinubu sent to DSS, EFCC, N’Assembly, others

In post, Platinum Times will bring you latest update on Names inside Ministerial list, Names sent to EFCC, DSS and others.
Expectations for the cabinet list have risen as the first 41 days of President Bola Tinubu’s presidency come to an end.
According to the law, Tinubu must name his cabinet and submit it for Senate confirmation within 60 days of taking the oath of office on May 29.
Less than 17 days remain until the President is required by the constitution to give his renewed hope agenda to the National Assembly, and lawmakers as well as other Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the list of ministers who would assist in delivering it.
According to multiple NASS Assembly sources, Tinubu’s cabinet list was anticipated by the federal parliament, with some expressing alarm about the holdup.
The MPs said they did not anticipate a further delay on the list while speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid any backlash.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services, and several security services were close to finishing their required checks on the list, according to information that was corroborated by The Punch on Sunday evening.
According to a confirmed information from The Punch on Sunday evening, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Department of State Services, and some security agencies were on the verge of completing their mandatory checks on the list.
It was gathered that the Department of State Services and members of the Presidential Strategic Team were running final checks on the people who had been listed as possible ministers.
Multiple Presidency sources said the list would be released very soon.
Meanwhile, Hon. Alex Egbona, Deputy chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in 9th Assembly, said that the President was still within the timeframe, unlike before when there were delays.
He hopes that the president will submit this Tuesday or upper Tuesday.
Also, Hon Ugochinyere Ikenga, a member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, said Nigerians were worried but believed that the President would send the list soon.
He also said he believed it would not be like the past when ministers were appointed after six months.
Meanwhile, a former Chief of Staff to the former Imo Gov. Rochas Okorocha, Mr Uche Nwosu, has advised President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that his ministerial list is made up of 60 per cent of technocrats from the private sector and 40 per cent of politicians.
He gave this advice during a virtual news conference on Sunday in Abuja. He noted that this would ensure a productive and vibrant cabinet.
He said, “What I expect from Mr President is to ensure the nominees are people that have competence, character, patriotic, with no atom of nepotism.”
Nwosu added, “We believe that we would have ministers who will represent Nigeria and not ministers who are coming to say they are ministers representing their states.”
He further stated that Nigeria has many competent individuals residing in the country that could serve as ministers, but those in Diaspora could also make the list.
He said, “We have a lot of competent Nigerians residing in Nigeria that can do the work of a minister in different fields and there is nothing wrong in having a former governor occupy a ministerial post if he has done well.
“I don’t see anything wrong in that, and also if Mr President wishes to add people in the Diaspora to his ministerial list, there is nothing wrong in that also.”
Also, the United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, has called for 50 per cent women representatives in the ministerial list.
She said this during the maiden edition of ReportHer Awards, in Lagos, said, “We are advocating 50 per cent women representation in public offices as President Bola Tinubu prepares to release names of ministers and heads of agencies and parastatals of the government.
She said, “We call on the President to make this a reality. We are partnering with the media in order to achieve the sustainable development goals because if gender equality and women empowerment are not achieved, we are never going to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and reduce poverty.”
This came as the Federal Government drew up a list of 41 confidential secretaries that would work with the federal cabinet members at the various ministries.
The list of the confidential secretaries on Grade Levels 13 to 14, which was compiled by the Head of Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan, has been sent to the security agencies for screening and vetting.
Though the President has appointed some Special Advisers and new service chiefs, Nigerians expected him to announce the Federal Executive Council members without much delay in keeping with his promise to hit the ground running from day one.
But speculations have been rife about the identities of the ministerial nominees with bookmakers making permutations about possible appointees.
In response to the speculations and anxiety sparked by the delay in announcing the ministers, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, told journalists last week that the list of ministers would be unveiled soon.
He said, “About the ministerial list, the simple truth is this is an executive presidency. We’re not running a parliamentary system. So the President, the bucks stop on his table, and he decides when it’s fit and proper for him to make his cabinet list.”
However, in readiness for the unveiling and resumption of the ministers, the FG has posted the confidential secretaries to various ministries where they are expected to work with the ministers whose names would be sent to the National Assembly for screening any moment now.
The memo with reference number HCSF/CMO/CPA/908II/101 exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Sunday revealed that 41 confidential secretaries have been chosen by the Federal Government to serve in the offices of ministers.
The circular dated July 5, 2023, noted that the secretaries will resume latest July 11, 2023.
It was titled, ‘Posting of Confidential Secretaries (SGL 13-14) in the pool of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’ and signed on behalf of the HoS, Yemi-Esan, by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi.
The memo was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; all permanent secretaries, the Department of State Services and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
It was also copied to the service chiefs and the Inspector- General of Police, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and the chairmen of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Code of Conduct Bureau; Police Service Commission and Federal Character Commission.
Others who were also notified included the chairmen of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Independent National Electoral Commission, National Population Commission; Federal Inland Revenue Service, Clerk of the National Assembly, among others.
A list attached to the memo said 13 of the secretaries had been posted to the ministries of works and housing, youths and sports development, education, industry, trade and investment, humanitarian affairs, OSGF, among others, to fill vacancies while the rest were posted to vice confidential secretaries who were earlier deployed in the ministries.
Some of the confidential secretaries are Oju Inyima who was deployed from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the office of the Minister of Communication and Digital Communication; Osemeke Ogor of Agric and Rural Development Ministry who was posted to Water Resources; Onaivi Justina (Works and Housing) now posted to Petroleum Resources; Noimot Adewale (Transportation) but redeployed to Agric and Rural Development Ministry and Mbadiwe Cordelia (Education) but dispatched to Agric and Rural Development.
Also on the list are Nwosu Christiana (Communication and Digital Economy) who has been mobilised to Police Affairs; Adesina-Abioye Ololade (Youth and Sports Development) who was moved to Transportation ministry; Ikade Aina (Science Tech and Innovation) who has been transferred to the Education ministry; Evan-Helen Igbokwe (Works and Housing) and Yusuf Sadiq (Water Resources) who have both been sent to the Education ministry.
The memo read partly, “I am directed to convey the approval of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for the deployment of the following Confidential Secretaries SGL. 13-14 in the Federal Civil Service. Please note that this posting takes immediate effect.
“All Directors of Human Resources Management/Administration are required to submit details of compliance to this posting instruction to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation no later than Wednesday 12th July, 2023.
“Please note that all deployed officers must be accepted and documented by the respective ministries as rejection of officers would not be condoned by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. All handling over and taking over processes must be completed on or before Tuesday 11th July, 2023.
“All officers concerned are reminded that failure to adhere to this posting instruction contravenes the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030301 (b) and will be met with appropriate sanctions.”
The PUNCH reports that the Public Service Rules 030301(b) states that refusal to proceed on transfer or to accept posting is misconduct which is inimical to the image of the service and which can be investigated and proved. It can also lead to termination and retirement.”
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, a high-placed civil servant noted that confidential secretaries were posted to work alongside ministers in their day-to-day activities.
He also noted that the confidential secretaries would be dispatched to the ministries this week.
The civil servant, who spoke under the condition of anonymity out of respect for civil service rules which prevent civil servants from speaking to the press, said, “In every ministry, you have a confidential secretary posted to the office of the minister. A minister may choose to work with the secretary or may decide to work with his or her own confidential secretary and in such cases, the confidential secretary may be moved to another office but will still be referred to as a confidential secretary.’’
“It is the Office of the Head of Service that posts confidential secretaries but other times, someone may be appointed from a ministry to be the confidential secretary in the ministry.
“The ones that are posted will work with the minister, that is if the minister wants, but it will be on record that the Head of Service posted someone there because anytime there is a vacancy, a ministry will request,’’ the official added.
Postings in Ministries
According to a list that was attached to the memo, 13 of the secretaries had been assigned to vice confidential secretaries who had previously been assigned to the ministries of works and housing, youth and sports development, education, industry, trade and investment, humanitarian affairs, and OSGF, among others, to fill vacancies.
Oju Inyima, who was transferred from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Office of the Minister of Communication and Digital Communication, Osemeke Ogor from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, who was posted to the Water Resources, Onaivi Justina from the Ministry of Works and Housing, who is now posted to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Noimot Adewale from the Ministry of Transportation, but redeployed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Mbadiwe Cordelia from
Nwosu Christiana (Communication and Digital Economy), who has been moved to the Police Affairs ministry, Adesina-Abioye Ololade (Youth and Sports Development), Ikade Aina (Science Tech and Innovation), Evan-Helen Igbokwe (Works and Housing), and Yusuf Sadiq (Water Resources), who have all been moved to the Education ministry, are also on the list.
Part of the memo stated, “I am authorized to express the Head of the Federal Civil Service’s approval for the deployment of the following Confidential Secretaries, SGLs 13 and 14. Please be aware that this posting is effective right away.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation must receive details of compliance with this posting directive from all Directors of Human Resources Management/Administration no later than Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Please take note that the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will not tolerate officers being rejected; all deployed officers must be accepted and documented by the appropriate ministries. The handling over and taking over procedures must be finished by Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the latest.
“All concerned officers are reminded that failure to follow this posting instruction violates the terms of Public Service Rules 030301(b) and will result in appropriate sanctions,” the statement reads.
Government of National Unity..
According t The Guardian Tinubu is willing to accept politicians and eggheads who could help his administration achieve national cohesion in order to appease resentments caused by his election. It was learned that in doing so, he might not rely entirely on the party members who contributed to his victory in the area.
Near the end, it was stated that there might be a mix of PDP and APC members on the list, adding that the attempt was also made to support the party in the area.
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governors of Enugu and Abia states, respectively, have so far been presented to Tinubu. They were among the PDP’s G-5 governors. Ikpeazu’s inclusion on the list is uncertain, but Ugwuanyi’s is believed to be set in stone due to his close relationship with Tinubu and his efforts as governor to bring the country together.
However, there is a disagreement in Abia over party control between former minister Uche Ogar and the party’s governorship candidate in the elections of 2023, Ikechi Emenike.
Members of the party are divided due to the rift. According to a source, the party may have given the president two lists of prospective ministers.
It was discovered that even though Ugwuanyi is not a member of the APC, his personable demeanor has turned into a factor that could help him land a job in Tinubu’s administration.
The state APC problem, which has split the party and reduced its chances in the most recent elections, is the other contributing reason. Allowing any of the factions led by Ugochukwu Agballah or Adolphus Ude, among others, to nominate candidates, it was thought, would exacerbate the conflict.
Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Senate President, is said to be on the list, according to rumors in Ebonyi. Anyim’s close relationship with Dave Umahi, the state’s most recent governor, who will ultimately have a voice in who should be selected from the state, is considered to be a contributing factor.
Many believed Anyim’s outspoken support of the APC’s governorship candidate before the election had an impact on Tinubu’s performance in the state. President Tinubu has greeted Anyim at the White House.
It is improbable that Governor Uzodimma of Imo state won’t have a role in who the state’s minister would be.
The president might search elsewhere for his minister as a result of the Anambra APC controversy. He spoke with Olisa Metuh, the former PDP national publicity, just last week.
In a related event, the APC in Rivers State has rejected Wike’s request for any nomination for a ministerial position.
The accusation was denied by the state party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, who called it “the most fantastically audacious of lies” during a news briefing on Wednesday.