Many of the state governors sworn in on May 29 are still battlling with pressure from political influencers and other power brokers in constituting their cabinet, 41 days after their inauguration.

Investigation by The Nation across the states showed that the governors who have been inundated with loads of introduction letters and curricula vitae from office seekers, are being cautious in their choice of commissioners and special advisers with a view to balancing religious and geographical interests in their states.

Although the constitution allows the governors up to 60 days to constitute their cabinet, many people are anxious to know those who will make the list of the commissioners.

It was gathered that disagreement between some of the governors and their ‘godfathers’ is slowing down the process.

An example is Delta State where disagreement between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other political leaders over the list is said to be the cause of the delay in sending the names of the nominees to the State Assembly for confirmation.

A similar situation is playing out in Adamawa State where party members consulted by Governor Adamu Fintiri for their input in forming of the cabinet are said to be dragging him back.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sources in Delta State said stakeholders are opposed to alleged insistence by Okowa to nominate 40 per cent of members in the new cabinet.

Besides, he is said to be eyeing some key ministries for his nominees.

But Oborevwori is said to be unwilling to accept the proposal.

Another former governor of the state, sources said, is making a case for his daughter to be appointed.

Oborevwori’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, however denied any disagreement between the governor and anyone over the constitution of his cabinet.

He said the new administration was trying to set up a credible team of eminent Deltans to drive the industrialization agenda for the state.

Party members’ involvement holding up Fintiri’s cabinet

The decision of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to involve members of the PDP in forming his cabinet is said to be largely responsible for the delay in releasing the list.

Soon after he was declared winner of the election in March, Fintiri told party members that he would be rewarding them for their contribution to the success of the party.

He consequently told party members in the 21 LGAs of the state to meet and advise him on those he could appoint.

But party members in some of the LGAs are said to be on different pages as to who should make the appointees list.

Only two weeks ago, PDP youths and women from Lamurde LGA protested to the hearing of the governor that party leaders in their area were bypassing them on the matter.

Spokesman of the youths, Ben Hoki accused the party leaders of overbearing attitude, saying they “have usurped the powers of the rest of us to advance their greed.”

He added: “They have greedily nominated either their own cronies or associates. In some cases, two brothers were nominated as well as over-aged persons who have retired from the civil service, to the utter neglect of young and energetic people.”

Contacted, Fintiri’s Press Secretary, Mr. Humwashi Wonosikou, said the governor is only seeking to come up with the best hands possible.

“There is nothing to constituting the full cabinet other than attention to detail,” Wonosikou told our correspondent Friday morning, adding, “everything being designed with perfection in mind takes time.”

Consultations, horse trading delaying appointment in Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who hit the ground running with the early appointment of Secretary to State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff and key Advisers, is said to be consulting wide on those that will be in his cabinet.

Sources said Sani is determined to carry as many party leaders as possible along to avoid a crisis in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the state as a whole.

“I can tell you that the list will soon be out. But I must also be frank with you that there is a lot of lobbying and horse trading going by the political class,” one of the sources said.

“However, I am assuring you that Governor Uba Sani is consulting widely to balance and ensure equitable distribution of the appointment in view of the fact that we have 23 local government areas in the state and there are only 14 ministries. But, am sure the Governor will conclude on this very soon.”

Intrigues, fears over past mistakes stall appointment of Commissioners in Ogun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who had promised to waste no time this time around in forming his team, has only filled six of the 20 positions of special advisers approved for him by the State Assembly.

The SAs are: Mr. Oladapo Okubadejo, Chief Economic Adviser; Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, SA, Budget and Planning; Jagunmolu Jamiu Akande Omoniyi, SA, Housing; Engr. Adebowale O. Akinsanya, SA, Works & Infrastructure; Mr. Olusina Ogungbade, SA, Justice; and Dr. Tomi Coker, SA, Health.

It was learnt that the Governor is biding his time to avoid a repeat of alleged mistakes he made with the selection of his cabinet members during his first term.

It was gathered that the Governor is concerned that some of his former commissioners performed below average and gave his administration a negative image with their lacklustre performance in the estimation of Ogun residents.

A source said:”Appointment of commissioners is a process and there are many things the eyes cannot see. From personal experience, when a list is generated, it must be sent to the right quarters for security check.

“And when it is time for security check, it is very discrete because the security people will do a background check of all the nominees, and if they found some or any of the nominees wanting, they quietly inform the governor and the governor would have to submit another name.

“It is a whole lot of process. The law permits the President or governor to get some SAs. People should not be in haste. It is very important that the governor gets it right this time around.

“It has got nothing to do with godfathers. The governor has power to hire and fire. He has the prerogative of hiring and telling somebody to go home if the person does not meet the demands of office later.”

List of Benue commissioner nominees ready, says CPS

Kulas Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, told The Nation that the list of nominees for appointment as commissioners is ready.

He said the list will be forwarded to the State Assembly upon the conclusion of consultation with critical stakeholders.

He appealed to Benue people to be patient as the governor is going for the best hands so that he will have good governance.

The governor has already appointed Chief of Staff, Chief Press Secretary, Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government and Principal Private Secretary.

‘Abdulrazaq is biding his time’

Only one appointment has been made by Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq since his inauguration for a second term: that of his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.

But a source at Government House Ilorin told The Nation that the governor is keeping “everything to his chest.”

“His election as the chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) is perhaps one of the factors responsible for the delay. I think he is most of the time now preoccupied with national issues.

“I know that very soon he will send the list of his nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.”

Makinde to request confirmation for additional commissioners

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde sent the names of seven nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners out of which five got the nod.

The remaining two were said to be out of the country at the time of screening.

Those screened and confirmed are Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, Mr Akinola Ojo, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, Mr Seun Ashamu and Mr Adeniyi Adebisi.

They were all in the state cabinet during Makinde’s first term. Yet to be screened are Prof Musibau Babatunde and Mrs Toyin Balogun.

However, the governor, while addressing a delegation that paid him Sallah homage recently, promised to name more nominees.

Sources hinted that the governor is still consulting on the choice of SSG so as to douse claims of marginalisation by some parts of the state as well as to accommodate some interests that worked for his re-election.

Plateau Gov: We’ve made key appointments for smooth take-off

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State is awaiting input from PDP leaders in the various local government areas of the state in forming his cabinet, according to his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere .

But he said the governor has made critical appointments needed for a smooth take-off of the administration.

He said the process of appointment of members of the state executive council is in top gear.

Bere said: “This is government of the people, and appointment of commissioners will be based on recommendations of the local government where such appointments will come from.”

The Governor also said the period allowed for appointment of commissioners has not elapsed, and we have gone far in the process in terms of putting the machinery of governance in place.

“There is nothing like godfather here, because those that will serve in the state executive council are going to be picked based on merit and capacity to deliver.

“Again, it is not about cash crunch. In spite of the challenges this government inherited, government will improvise to get the administration running no matter what,” he said.

Appointments made so far by the governor include Secretary to the State Government (SGS) Arch Samuel Nanchang and Commissioner for Justice Barr Philemon Dafi.

Another critical appointment was that of Mr. Moses Nwan, mni as Executive Private Secretary to the Governor, as well as the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA) Mr Gyang Bere. The governor has appointed Mr Yakubu Taddi as Acting General Manager of Plateau State Radio and Television Corporation (PRTVC)

Fubara running Rivers affairs with 14 commissioners

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is currently running his administration with the 14 commissioners he appointed three weeks into his tenure.

Most of the commissioners were members of the last cabinet of the former Governor, Nyesom Wike.

While some of the residents criticised Fubara for reappointing Wike’s commissioners, others said it was in the interest of continuity.

Persons already assigned portfolios are Prof. Zachaus Andango, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice; Prof. Chinedu Mmom, Education; Isaac Kamalu, Finance; Alabo Dax George Kelly, Works; Chukwuemeka Woke, Special Projects; Mrs. Inime Chinwenwo Aguma, Social Welfare & Rehabilitation and Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali, Youth Development.

Others are Prof. Henry Ogiri, Power; Charles Amadi, Chieftaincy & Community Affairs; Dr. Roseline Adawari Uranta* – Women Affairs; Chris T. Green, Sports; Dr. Jacobson Nbina,Transport; Mr. Uchechukwu Nwafor, Energy & Natural Resources and Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, Health.

The governor also appointed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo and his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi.

Ebonyi: Nwifuru kicks off with 35 commissioners, others

Governor Francis Nwifuru has constituted his cabinet made up of 35 Commissioners.

The Commissioners were screened by the House of Assembly after which they were sworn in and allocated portfolios by the governor.

He also appointed more than 30 aides of different ranks ranging from Special Assistants to Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers.

Some of the appointees are said to be nominees of various stakeholders both from the governor’s ruling APC and from opposition parties.

Meanwhile, the APC in the state has set up a seven-man committee to review the political appointments of the governor.

The members of the committee were selected from the13 local government areas of the state and were led by Peter Nworie as the chairman and I. Ukeni as secretary.

Other members include John Nwankata, Queendaline Nwigwe, Dickson Udu, Okeye Odilichukwu and Sunday Onuzu.

It was gathered the party set up the committee to ensure the appointments are balanced so as to engender party unity and harmony.

The committee is also to evaluate the performances and contributions of political stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, who hail from the 171 wards, especially at the last general election that took place in the 13 LGAs of the state.

The chairman of the committee, Peter Ndubisi Nworie, said Governor Francis Nwifuru believes in fairness and equity and will ensure that appointment of persons from the 171 wards of the state is not lopsided.

Otti inaugurates cabinet

Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Friday inaugurated his executive council.

Three out of the 19 commissioners are yet to be cleared by the State House of Assembly but would be sworn-in later.

Otti charged them to bring in hallmark of excellence and commitment to the service of the state.

The governor, who stressed that development of critical infrastructure are the fulcrum of the administration, said their responsibilities are huge, hence excuses would not be tolerated as there would be zero tolerance for corruption.

The Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows;

1. Ikechukwu Uwanna: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

2. Prof Monica Ironkwe: Agriculture

3. Kingsley Anosike: Budget and Planning

4. Prof Uche Eme Uche: Education

5. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna: Environment and Urban Renewal

6. Mike Akpara: Finance

7. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo: Health

8. Prince Okey Kanu. -Information and Culture

9. Chaka Chukwumerije: Lands and Housing

10. Prince Uzor Nwachukwu: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

11. Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna: Petroleum and Mineral Resources

12. Chima Emmanuel Oriaku: Science and Technology

13. Nwaobilor Ananaba: Sports and Youth Development

14. Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu: Trade, Commerce & Industry

15. Ngozi Blessing Felix: Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

16. Engr Don Otumchere Oti: Works

17. Comrade Sunny Onwuma: Transport

18. Engr Ikechukwu Monday: Power and Public Utilities

19. Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe: Digital Economy/ SME (The Nation)

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