As the biting economic realty dawns on Nigerians triggered by the ever rising cost in the pump price of fuel, and with president Tinubu’s ministerial list reportedly out and is expected to be announced by the Senate, there are strong indications that former Kaduna state governor, El-Rufai, whose name top the list might likely become the new petroleum minister or minister of power.
Recall that the fuel subsidy was removed on May 29, 2023, during the president’s inaugural speech. following the announcement the pump price of fuel increased from N187 per litre to N500 per litre and only on Wednesday went up again to N617 per litre, causing untold hardship to Nigerians.
Reports say that the list is out and has finally been submitted to the Senate for ratification and approval.
Sources in the presidency have revealed that the former Kaduna state governor might be given anyone of the two portfolios; petroleum or power.
The question, however, on most people’s lips is that should El-Rufai not be appointed minister for petroleum, then who becomes the petroleum minister?
This is because many Nigerians are hoping that the new minister of petroleum should come with a ‘heart’ to turn things around for good, given the mess already prevalent in the sector.
“We need someone with a lot of experience to come and clean things up and tidy that very important sector of the economy,” Bidemi Suleiman, a businessman in Lagos said.
Sources say the list has been tinkered with several times in order to get it right by ensuring that the square pegs are in square holes adding that all security checks had been conducted.
The ministerial list is expected to be announced soon by the Senate.
It is understood that due to the modified constitution’s 60-day deadline for the president and governors to form a cabinet, any presentation of the list to the Senate after these dates would be unlawful.
