http://www.tribune.com.ng/27022007/news/news3.html

Yar’Adua may retain 10 ministers - As politicians jostle for positions
By Olawale Rasheed - 27.02.2007

DESPITE the controversy trailing the preparations for the April polls, the shape of an Umar Yar’Adua presidency is already emerging with top politicians intensifying their lobbying for appointments.


Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that an unofficial clearing house led by President Olusegun Obasanjo had been putting up a team ahead of the election to ensure continuity and sustenance of the ongoing socio-economic reforms.


It was gathered from the administration and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) showed that a tentative list of ministerial nominees from across the 36 states was almost ready while shortlisting is reportedly being done for other key appointments in the next government.


It was learnt that in many of the states, those who would be ministers were already known even though the issue had become very divisive among party chiefs.


Reports indicate that there are states which the party elders led by the president are yet to decide on who to shortlist due to the presence of two or three equally loyal party stalwarts.


In some other states, the failure of defeated gubernatorial aspirants to agree among themselves on who to nominate is reported to be stalling a final decision.


Reports further showed that 10 of the incumbent ministers were to be retained due to their performance and the need to ensure stability in the government.


A serving female Director-General of a federal agency is said to have been nominated as health minister while unconfirmed reports said Professor Charles Soludo had been tipped for the position of finance minister.


Despite repeated denials, the Nigerian Tribune was told that the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is to emerge as the new Inspector-General of Police to effect major and fundamental restructuring of the force.


It was also learnt that a top PDP chieftain from the South-West had been tipped as the new chief of staff to replace General Abdulahi Muhammad who has been there since 1999.


Trusted party chiefs who have served the presidency since 1999 are reported to have been pencilled in for ambassadorial positions though many politicians were said to be expecting ambassadorial postings if they failed to make the ministerial list.


Nigerian Tribune findings showed that while the Yar’Adua campaign train is traversing the nation, politicians are intensifying their lobbying of the presidential campaign team, the organised private sector and the president.


Commenting on the report, the special adviser (political) to Governor Umar Yar’Adua, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, said it should not be surprising to anybody if there was a measure of continuity after May 29.


Adebiyi noted that since it would still be the same PDP government, some personnel were likely to be retained while others might be re-assigned.


He noted that there was nothing new in politicians making demands and lobbying for positions, adding, “that is a normal thing in politics.”


In various states, he said, there would be demands and concessions to be made, stressing that politics was about give and take.


He, however, denied that the shape of Yar’Adua’s presidency was already emerging, insisting that it was too early to draw that conclusion.


“We have covered 12 out of the 36 states and we are still moving round. We cannot conclude anything when we are yet to visit about 24 states where demands are still going to be made.


“We are engrossed in campaigns. Even if politicians are lobbying, we cannot stop them. But let me say that nothing has been concluded as to the shape of Yar’Adua’s presidency,” Adebiyi said.

Soludo as finance minister
Akunyili for health minister
Ribadu for IGP

not bad if the above comes to pass.

I have two nominations- Pat Utomi for Governor of central bank
Governor duke for minister of tourism

Pat utomi as the CBN governor? what a bad move that would be
Duke a minister? come on, you didnt even say VP