Reports have surfaced indicating that President Bola Tinubu is on the verge of finalizing his highly anticipated ministerial list.
It is believed that the President exercised great discretion during the selection process, engaging in close consultations with his trusted team of special advisors.
While the completion of the long-awaited list appears imminent, our platform reported last week that the scramble for ministerial appointments has intensified. Party insiders disclosed that a number of former governors and lawmakers, who experienced defeat in the 2023 general elections, were loitering around the All Progressives Congress (APC) national office in Abuja, actively lobbying for positions.
Reliable sources have informed us that most state chapters of the ruling party have already submitted their nominations for ministerial appointments to be forwarded to President Tinubu. However, an insider close to the Presidency disclosed to The Punch that the President has reserved a core group of ministers for himself.
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According to the source, “I have learned that Tinubu’s ministerial list is almost finalized. He has retained a select group of ministers, heavily influenced by his kitchen cabinet of Special Advisers (SAs). The remaining politicians are now engaged in a fierce struggle for the remaining slots. It’s currently a slugfest.”
Meanwhile, another source has confirmed that President Tinubu is scheduled to return from London today in preparation for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Our platform reported yesterday that a separate source close to the Presidency revealed the President’s plans to arrive in Lagos today ahead of the Sallah festivities.
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Corroborating this information, the source disclosed that Tinubu would be heading back to his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos later today, where he intends to observe his first Sallah celebration as President. Additionally, the President will join other dignitaries for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Muslim Prayer ground located in Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government, on Wednesday.
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The source further revealed that President Tinubu is not expected to return to Abuja until Sunday or Monday, even though the festivities officially conclude on Thursday. “I am certain that he will return to Lagos tomorrow (Tuesday), not Abuja. That’s where he will observe Sallah,” the source affirmed.