Immediate past minister of state for finance, Remi Babalola is among those jostling for the remaining ministerial slots.
The 33 nominees whose names were forwarded to the Senate, last week, will appear before it today as the upper chamber commences their screening. Sources disclosed weekend that the battle to fill the remaining vacant slots has shifted to the states where politicians and state governors are still to agree on those to make the final list of remaining nominees. The states yet to be represented on the list are Oyo, Ebonyi, Rivers; Cross Rivers, Benue and Kwara. Sources disclosed that the battle to corner the slots is tense in these states.
Babalola from Oyo State is said to be caught in a battle of wits between a principal officer in the Senate and a top businessman in Ibadan who, sources said, was responsible for Babalola's first nomination by ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua.
According to the sources, the principal officer wanted somebody else from Oyo but the influential businessman is insisting on Babalola making his way back to the cabinet.
The principal officer, who belongs to the late Lamidi Adedibu camp, is said to be eyeing the governorship seat of the state in 2011 and wants to stamp his authority by having a say in who becomes the minister from the state. It was learnt that in Kwara State, Governor Bukola Saraki is insisting on picking the candidate who becomes the minister, but other forces are opposing him. An agreement is expected this week.
Meanwhile, according to a source at the Senate, the nominees especially the returnee ministers may not have it rosy when they appear before the upper chamber for screening.
The first batch of the ministerial nominees will appear today by 12 noon when the Senate hold special session to commence the screening.
Babalola, others jostle for remaining ministerial slots (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9616:babalola-others-jostle-for-remaining-ministerial-slots-&catid=85:national&Itemid=340)
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