The Nigerian Senate has cleared 39 ministerial nominees, rejecting the nomination of Bode Augusto, the nominee from Lagos State.

The Ministers are expected to be sworn-in on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja just as speculations are rife that Ojo Maduekwe is going to head the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ahmed Yayale, Defense, Sanusi Dagash, Commerce/Industry, Shamsudeen Usman, Finance, John Odey, Information and Communication and Adenike Grange, Health Ministry.

Those confirmed were Alhaji Abba Ruma, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi-Osun, Mrs. Ekpiwhre Grace, Hajiya Aishatu Dukku, Mr. John Odey, Mrs. Fedelia Njeze, Alhaji Mahmudu Ahmed, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, and Ambassador Bagudu Hirse.

Also cleared were Aderemi Babalola, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, Hajiya Halima Alao, Mr. Gabriel Aduku, Mr. Igwe Aja- Nwachukwu, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, Mr. Godwin Abbe, Mr. Sanusi Daggash, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Mr. Kayode Adeyinka, Alhaji Adamu Waziri and Alhaji Hassan Lawal.

Others confirmed were Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim, Dr. Aliyu Umar, Dr. Idi Hong, Alhaji Ahmed Bichi, Alhaji Mohammed Gusau, Alhaji Abdurrahman Gimba, Chief Sarafa Ishola, Mr. Emeka Okechukwu, Mr. Tijjani Kaura, and Mrs. Diezeani Alison-Madueke.

Chief Charles Ugwuh, Mr. Agada Jerry, Mrs. Saudatu Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Haruna, Alhaji Ibrahim Nakande, Mr. Michael Aondokaa, Mr. Olatunde Odeshina, and Prof. Adenike Grange were also confirmed.

Two nominees – Alhaji Ibrahim el-Sudi (Taraba) and Alhaji Adamu Hassan ( Kaduna) – were dropped by the Senate, following the withdrawal of their nominations by the President.

In a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, Yar’Adua said that Mr. Hassan Bako and Mr. Felix Hyat would replace El-Sudi and Hassan.

The letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate, gave no reason for the withdrawal of the two nominees.

Indications that Agusto might not scale the hurdle first emerged when Mark called his name.

Before the President of the Senate could ask for comments on him, majority of the senators shouted against his confirmation.

When it became clear that the senators had made up their minds on Agusto, one of the three senators from Lagos State, Olorunnimbe Mamora, tried to prevail on his colleagues defer their decision on the nominee to allow for wider consultations.

He argued that since they (senators from Lagos State) supported the nominee; he ought to be allowed to sail through.

At this point, Mark had to again ask if Agusto, a former Director of Budget in the Presidency, should be cleared.

This was again greeted with ‘Nay.’