By Dr Victor Esin
As a warm up to 2023 general election, those who had interest in contesting for Presidential election and are appointed government official were told to resign their office, thanks to Electoral act amendment of section 84(12) which stipulated that appointed officers must resign their office, if they had interest of running for president.
With respect to this new law, some Ministers who had ambitions of contesting presidential election, were left between the devil and the deep blue. They were left with the option of either resigning their exalted office as ministers or risk losing the presidential bid.
Some of them(Ministers) after weighing the options, decided not to contest, so, they could retain there portfolio, while some went forward to contest and none of them was successful.
So, this left a big lacuna in the kitchen cabinet of the executive which is actually a constitutional right for the president to have Ministers from the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory , Abuja
In order to close these gaps, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the Senate seeking the confirmation of seven ministerial nominees.
The nominees are: Henry Ikechukwu – Abia State, Umana Okon Umana – Akwa-Ibom State; Ekuma Joseph – Ebonyi State; Goodluck Nana Opia – Imo State; Umar Ibrahim Yakub – Kano State; Ademola Adewole Adegorioye – Ondo State; Odo Udi – Rivers State.
During the screening by distinguished members of the hallowed red chambers, there was an abysmal, cold presentation by one of the nominees by name Odo Udi, from Rivers State.
It was nothing to write home about. It was really a shameful display of cowardice by someone who lost confidence in himself, who was simply pushed by some miracle buttons behind the scene.
It is believed that Odo Udi was nominated by the immediate Minister of transportation, His Excellency, Rotimi Amaechi as his protege, who will stand as his stooge in proxy to his(Amaechi) former office as the minister of transportation.
To many Nigerians, this kangaroo nomination won’t hold, it will fall flat. They see it as putting a round peg in a square whole, because for someone like Odo Udi who couldn’t express himself in public, can’t cope with the high exigencies of the office he will be in charge of, within the remaining part of Buhari’s Government.
In the best interest of Nigerian and Nigerians, where many people are already aggrieved with the level of performance this administration in terms of security and economy, it will be a white elephant project, if Odo Udi is given a senior Minister portfolio.
It will be a colossal liability, if he is given a big portfolio as the substantive Minister, because he will be overwhelmed by the office which is bigger than him.
It will be an extension of Rotimi Amaechi’s portfolio, because Amaechi will be the one commanding what will happen in any ministry he is given to, which might likely be ministry of transportation.
The transportation ministry with all the billion dollars infrastructural projects, that are yet to be completed, it will be a huge blow, if this herculean office is given to a mediocre like Odo Udi, who couldn’t speak simple English in the presence of Senators, as he was been screened.
I humbly call on the president to look into this pertinent matter as it is very cogent and deserves diligent and due attention from the presidency, knowing full well, the danger or implications, if such a careless character is given such an office.
Among the 7 ministerial nominees, I plead with the president to do a thorough balancing of these portfolios, by checking their antecedence and previous records, while intentionally inserting round pegs in round holes, that will enhance maximum performance. Nominees like Odo Udi should be considered as Junior Minister .
The president should use an Eagle eye and a discerning mind, in appointing these new Ministers, which will further add more glory and accolades to his almost ending administration which will give more reason for the electorates to find reasons of voting for APC, as we approach another general election next year February.
APC must do everything possible to retain power come 2023. Appointing Ministers that are fit for the position, will further make this a reality.
Being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, requires someone who can express himself so well to a high standard that’s acceptable to majority of the populace.
Mr President on whose prerogative it falls to appoint these ministers, should do a good work, knowing how important it is to his government.