In a crucial gathering, the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The visit is believed to be centered around the Senate’s recent refusal to confirm El-Rufai’s nomination as a minister by the President.
The Senate has confirmed 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominees presented. The remaining three, including El-Rufai, faced delays in their confirmation due to unresolved security checks. This meeting, just two days after the Senate’s decision, aims to address these concerns.
Although there was no formal statement on the intent of the visit, insiders from the Presidential Villa attribute the meeting to El-Rufai’s pending ministerial status. A senior adviser to the President remarked, “It’s over the issue with the Senate… I’m sure that everything will be settled.”
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, hinted that the Senate might reconsider their stance, suggesting a possible re-invite for the three nominees. This decision might be influenced by a “very strong petition” concerning issues of insecurity and national unity raised against El-Rufai during his Senate screening.
