President Goodluck Jonathan has forwarded the names of former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and three other persons to the Senate to be screened for appointment as ministers.

The nomination is apparently meant to reward Shekarau, who recently decamped with fanfare from the mega opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). President Jonathan had attracted scathing criticisms when he travelled to Kano and was seen dancing heartily during a Mega Rally to receive Shekarau and other defectors at a time when Boko Haram had just abducted about 300 students from Government Day Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14. The girls are yet to be rescued.

The names of Shekarau and the other ministerial nominees were read out during the plenary of the upper chamber of the National Assembly this morning.

The other nominees are Stephen Oruh from Delta State, Adedayo Adeyeye from Ekiti State, and Abdul Bulama from Yobe State. They are expected to be screened at a later date.

In the letter the president addressed to the senators through the Senate President, David Mark, he said it was done in accordance with the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“In accordance with section 147 sub section 2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I have the honour to forward the under listed ministerial nominees for consideration for senate confirmation.”

The letter, which was read by Mark, said that the Curriculum Vitae of all the nominees were attached to the letter.

Jonathan was, however, silent on the fate of Anambra and Kwara states, both of which also have vacant ministerial slots, as he did not send the names of any nominees from to the two states to the Senate for screening.

•Photo shows ministerial nominee Ibrahim Shekarau.