President Bola Tinubu has sought the confirmation of Abbas Balarabe and two other ministerial nominees by the Senate.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary in Abuja on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Balarabe’s name was read alongside Dr Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande who were nominated by President Tinubu as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths, respectively.

It was gathered that Balarabe was nominated to replace the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, whose confirmation was withheld by the senate over a security report.

El-Rufai was initially nominated as minister but the Senate withheld his confirmation because it did not have a security clearance on him.

Tinubu in the letter said: “In compliance with the provisions of section 147, sub section 2 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

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“I am pleased to forward to the Senate three nominees for confirmation of Senate.

“Dr Jamila Biu Ibrahim, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, and Ayodele Olawale for confirmation as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept the Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the usual assurances of my highest regards.”

Akpabio, after reading the letter, said the request would be referred to the Committee of the Whole for expeditious action at the next legislative date.

The Star