Potential nominees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government of National Unity (GNU) have been revealed.
Sources suggest that Tinubu aims to form a competent government by including technocrats, politicians, and career public servants from various political parties in his cabinet.
According to a close ally, Akinwunmi Ambode, one of the former governors of Lagos State who recently reconciled with Tinubu, is being considered for a ministerial slot for Lagos.
Tinubu is impressed by Ambode’s loyalty to the APC despite strong temptations to defect, a source said.
Another potential nominee is Babatunde Fashola, the immediate-past Minister of Works and a former governor of Lagos State.
Both Ambode and Fashola are regarded as technocrats.
In Ogun State, there are indications that Gbenga Daniel, a former governor and serving senator, may be offered a ministerial position, prompting him to resign from the Senate.
For Ekiti State, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, chairman of the South West Agenda for Tinubu 2023, is being mentioned for a ministerial position, along with the former governor of the state, Dr. Fayemi Kayode.
In the South East, former senator Andy Ubah from Anambra State and former senator Uche Ekwunife from the PDP are under consideration.
Also, the immediate-past governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and his brother Austin Umahi have been mentioned.
In Edo State, former Senator Francis Alimikhena, who was defeated by Tinubu’s ally Adams Oshiomhole, as well as Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who supported Tinubu in the last presidential election, are potential nominees for the president’s cabinet.
In Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the immediate-past governor, or Tony Cole, the former APC governorship candidate in the state, may be included in the list.
From the North, former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, Sani Bello, and Simon Lalong are being considered by Tinubu.
Rabiu Kwakwanso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), may join the cabinet as a minister, pending any last-minute changes.
Prof Pat Utomi from the Labour Party (LP) and Valentine Ozigbo, former PDP governorship candidate in Anambra State, are also potential candidates for cabinet positions.
