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| Managing director, World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala |
Many economic and political analysts were taken aback yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan submitted a list containing the names of 34 ministerial nominees to the Senate; but without the name of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, managing director, World Bank.
One of the stunned analysts who pleaded anonymity said: “I have seen the list. Where is the name of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?” The analyst queried no one in particular, and continued, “I don’t know anybody on that list,” the analyst who is also a leading economist said.
The media had been awash with news that the World Bank boss had accepted to serve the country as a cabinet member and many people had thought her name would feature prominently on the list of the nominees submitted to Senate for screening yesterday.
Both local and foreign analysts said they had hoped that the inclusion of Okonjo-Iweala and Omobola Olubusola Johnson, chairman, Accenture and Olusegun Aganga, former Finance Minister considered as seasoned technocrats in the cabinet will bring credibility to the president’s reform ambitions.
But like Okonjo-Iweala, Olubusola Johnson’s name was conspicuously missing on the list.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Itse Sagay, a Lagos based Constitutional lawyer said he welcomed the re-nomination of Labaran Maku and Diezana Allison-Madueke, but faulted President Jonathan for not re-nominating the former minister of foreign affairs, Odein Ajumogobia.
He described his non-inclusion on the list “as a political tragedy.” In his estimation, that the minister who worked hard to earn Nigeria the respect of the international community could be sacrificed for political reason, is not fair.
“Ajumogobia was a square peg in a square hole. I wonder why a person who did so well in the foreign affairs ministry could be sacrificed for any political reason. It is unfortunate that in a country where we do not perform, one who stood out has to be sacrificed for political reasons,” he noted.
On the re-nomination of Labaran Maku, former minister of information and communication and Diezeni Allison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum, Sagay said both had done well and deserved being given another opportunity.
“I have no problem with the choice of Diezeni and Maku. In fact, I have been wondering what the media attack on Diezeni is all about. I believe she did well,” Sagay said.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, the Afri Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has dragged, Diezeni Allison-Madueke, before an Abuja Federal High Court for non-possession of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
Also included in the suit are: President Goodluck Jonathan, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the originating summons, a copy of which was made available to journalists, the plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether by virtue of the provisions of Section 12 (1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are entitled to employ Allison-Madueke as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without first obtaining a copy of her discharge certificate of NYSC or a valid exemption certificate.
Among the 34 nominees were 12 former ministers. The former ministers’ names sent for re-appointment included those of: Yusuf Suleiman, (Transport); Ruqaayat Rufai, (Education); Shamsudeen Usman, (National Planning); Mohammed Musa Saada-Katsina, (Mines and Power); Diezeni Allison-Madueke, (Petroleum); Godsday Orubebe, (Niger Delta); Onyebuchi Chukwu, (Health); and Obadiah Ando, (Water).
Others are: Emeka Nwogu, (Labour); Mohammed Adoke, (Justice); Labaran Maku, (Information); Olusegun Aganga, (Finance); Caleb Olubolade, (FCT minister of state); Bala Mohammed, (FCT) and former Special Adviser on Power, Bath Nnaji.
The new nominees are: Bash Yuguda,(Zamfara); chairman of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Bello Mohammed, (Kebbi); Tonye Cole, (Rivers); Mike Onolememen, (Edo); Ita Okon Bassey-Ewa, (Akwa Ibom); Viola Onwuliri, (Imo); Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi, (Anambra); Bolaji Abdullahi, (Kwara).
Other new nominees are: Zainab Kuchi, (Niger); Samuel Loraer Ortom, (Benue); Abba Moro,(Benue); Olajumoke Akinjide, (Oyo); Akinwumi Ayo Adesina, (Ogun); Olushola Obada, (Osun); Olugbenga Ashiru, (Ogun); Bukar Tijani, (Borno); Idris Umar, (Gombe); Yerima Lawan Ngama, (Yobe); Zainab Maina, (Adamawa).
Senate president David Mark, who read Jonathan’s letter to the House noted that the president has also sought approval to appoint 20 special advisers. He did not comment on the list, but a position will be taken at today’s plenary on when the nominees will be screened but sources say the screening will commence next week.
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