One day – and that could be soon – we will have a President who will not only break this unwholesome “tradition” of nominating ministers without portfolios to the Nigerian Senate, but will permanently abolish it in law. Fitness for cabinet should not mean fitness for any cabinet position. The interview for a bricklayer is different from that of a nuclear scientist – an elementary observation.
But we must understand that there is a downside to early portfolio nominations in a Constitution which requires one minister per state in a 36-state structure: in the event that one or two nominations are rejected, or resign from office, the President will now be restricted to nominating minister(s) in particular portfolio(s) from a particular state(s), thereby seriously limiting his choices and resulting in political awkwardness.. Reshufflement becomes also cumbersome.
On the whole, I would prefer a law which:
(1) requires the President to send up names of nominees within three to six months of assumption of office….the earlier the better.
(2) requires the President to attach no less than two and no more than four possible portfolios to each nominee. At least the interviewers are not asking questions through guesswork.
(3) bans the nomination of any person with a pending/active EFCC and/or ICPC case in court. This sends a more serious anti-corruption message.
(4) bans “bow and go” gesture completely. That is rudiculous theater.
I rest my case.
Bolaji Aluko