State chapters of the All Progressives Congress are awaiting the directive of President Bola Tinubu to forward lists of ministerial nominees to the party headquarters for onward transmission to the Presidency.
While the party awaited the directive, bigwigs including former governors, ex ministers, and other party chieftains, had started jostling for ministerial appointments.
But as the nation awaited Tinubu’s ministerial list, the President on Thursday appointed eight special advisers including a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, who emerged as the Special Adviser on Security.
The Special Adviser on Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, in an interview with one of our correspondents on March 8, had said it would not take Tinubu up to 60 days to constitute his cabinet.
Alake, who was then the spokesman for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said Tinubu would assemble competent hands within 60 of his assumption of office as stipulated by the constitution.
But there are concerns that Tinubu would face a tough time picking his ministers with the party losing governorship and senatorial elections in states such as Zamfara, Plateau, Delta and Kano.
Party chieftains who expressed concern said the President must take care of some of those lost elections.
But at a meeting with Senators on June 7, Tinubu assured those who lost elections and members not endorsed by the party that they would not be left out.
He said, ‘’The elephant is big enough for all members, and indeed Nigerians, to have a share of the renewed hope in due course.”
But despite the President’s assurance, there were indications on Thursday that the APC bigwigs had started jostling for appointments.
For example in Delta State before the governorship elections, many members had agreed that an ex-Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, should make Tinubu’s cabinet.
However, the defeat of the party’s governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has thrown up the name of the former deputy Senate president as a possible nominee from the state.
But a chieftain in the state, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the party was ready with its nomination.
He said, “The name of such a person cannot be open to the public now, though, you know that the former minister, Festus Keymo worked very well for Bola Tinubu.
“So, as a party faithful in the state, no other name will be sent other than Keyamo’s name because he worked hard for the President and he deserves the ministerial position.’’But another source said Omo-Agege might be nominated.
Efforts to reach the APC Chairman in the state, Mr Sobotie Omeni, failed as calls put across to him were not responded to.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Valentine Onojegheuo, in a text message, stated, “I can’t give you any information now until approved by Chairman”
In Enugu, the APC Governorship candidate Uchenna Nnaji is being tipped for Ministerial appointment but he faces competition from major stakeholders who have opposed the party leadership in the State.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, immediate past Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, former Governor Sullivan Chime are leading the opposition against the APC leadership backing Nnaji for the only Ministerial slot for Enugu.
Others being tipped for the position include former Speaker Eugene Odo, former party chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye as well as former Governor Sullivan Chime.
