Bill Requiring President To Assign Portfolios To Ministerial Nominees Passes Second Reading

Bill Requiring President To Assign Portfolios To Ministerial Nominees Passes Second ReadingA bill requiring the president to assign specific portfolios to ministerial nominees has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Eugene Dibiagwu from Imo State, the proposed legislation also aims to mandate governors to include portfolios for commissioner nominees.

The bill seeks to amend sections 147 and 192 of the 1999 Constitution, addressing longstanding issues with the screening process. Currently, senators often question nominees based on their professional backgrounds without knowing which ministry they will lead, complicating the assessment of their suitability.

During the debate, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda expressed support for the bill, noting that assigning portfolios would enable more targeted questioning during screenings. “This will allow senators to directly assess nominees’ qualifications for specific roles,” Chinda remarked.

He also suggested that ministers reassigned to different ministries should return to the Senate for re-screening, ensuring ongoing oversight. When Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu called for a voice vote during Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, moving it forward in the legislative process.

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