Amidst intense lobby, realignments and jostle by interest groups, political god fathers and regional blocs, the list of ministers that will launch the Goodluck Jonathan era in governance may be unveiled on Tuesday. With series of decisive steps taken by Jonathan in the past three weeks that have underscored his growing perception as a leader determined to be his own man, the political terrain has been abuzz with names of people that may likely return to the new cabinet.
From the former ministers that may stage a come back to the new blood that may be injected and those that would be left out, all permutations acknowledge that competence and ability to deliver would be the crucial factors in determining who will be in. A presidency source told BusinessDay that Jonathan is likely to retain Ojo Maduekwe, former minister of foreign affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, former minister of state for petroleum resources, Dora Akunyili, former minister of information and communications, Adetokunbo Kayode, former attorney general and minister of justice as well as Adamu Bio, former minister of transport because of the strategic nature of their ministries. For Akunyili, the options are for her to move to the Federal Capital Territory or replace Maurice Iwu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"Bringing in new hands into these sensitive ministries would draw back the pace of work for the acting president. For instance the reform programmes going on in the petroleum sector, the need to consolidate on Nigeria's diplomatic progress in the international community as well as the need of the government to strengthen the judiciary for the 2011 election would work in the favour of these people," the source stated.
Some of those believed to be coming on board are Pat Utomi, Bode Agusto, Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Ahmed Markafi, a serving senator, Dominic Obukadato Oneya, a retired general and former administrator of Kano and Benue states and Ben Akabueze, the present commissioner in charge of economic planning in Lagos State. Mohammed Abba-Aji and Cairo Ojougbo, both presidential advisers on National Assembly matters came in to consult with Jonathan, probably to put finishing touches to the names of those who will fill the vacant offices. Explaining the new faces that may make the list, the presidency source stated that technocrats would form the bulk of the new cabinet as the acting president "does not want to be distracted by politicking in the months leading to the general elections in 2011".
The presidency source who preferred not to be quoted said the acting president promised to conclude everything concerning the composition of the new cabinet within two weeks. "At the latest, the acting president hopes to inaugurate the new executive council in another two weeks. He plans to submit the names of the new ministerial nominees by Tuesday," the source disclosed stressing that "all security screening would be concluded before then".
"There is also an understanding between the executive and the legislature that the new ministerial nominees would be cleared without delay. Within a day or two, the nominees would be cleared", the source stated. The lobby to get Jonathan's ears now revolve around some former ministers and the leadership of the National Assembly with the ruling party seeming not to have factored much. Senate President David Mark who played a pivotal role in the emergence of Jonathan as acting president and three former ministers have become the rallying point for lobbyists.
The cold attitude by the PDP leadership towards Jonathan prior to the decisive declaration of the National Assembly has whittled down the standing of the party. But Vincent Ogbulafor, chairman of the party, dismissed suggestions that the party was not being consulted by the acting president.
"The acting president will consult us. He did the dissolution yesterday [Thursday] and we will give him time to do the consultation. I am in the State House to brief the acting president on party issues," Ogbulafor told correspondents yesterday.
Jonathan looks to technocrats as cabinet list may be ready Tuesday (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9396:jonathan-looks-to-technocrats-as-cabinet-list-may-be-ready-tuesday&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18)
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