Doyin Okupe, an ex-aide to former President Olusegun
Obasanjo, has called on the leadership of the senate to confirm Nasir el-Rufai
as minister.
Recall that the senate withheld el-Rufai’s confirmation as
minister over security clearance.
The red chamber had approved the appointment of 45 out of
the 48 ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The nominees were confirmed on Monday evening after the
upper legislative chamber concluded the screening of the candidates.
El-Rufai and two other nominees — Stella Okotete (Delta) and
Danladi Abubakar (Taraba) were not confirmed as the senate awaits security
clearance about them.
Reacting in a post on his official Twitter handle on
Wednesday, Okupe, a chieftain of the opposition Labour Party (LP), suggested
that the senate may insist on an undertaken from the former governor of Kaduna
that he will “refrain from making any comments or remarks on religion” while in
office.
“The Nigerian senate should reconsider their decision to
drop former Governor el-Rufai from the ministerial list,” Okupe wrote.
“I am not a fan of
Mallam el-Rufai who I consider to be a radical of some sort and who has in the
recent past demonstrated some traits of religious extremism.
“Still, very few people will doubt el-Rufai’s competence and
immense capacity to perform. If it is true that he is being considered for the
power ministry, I don’t think we should cut our noses to spite or faces.
“The senate may insist on an undertaking from him before his
confirmation that while in office as minister, he will refrain from making any
comments or remarks on religion.
“The power ministry is extremely important in our economy
and in our serious efforts to combat poverty.
“If any Nigerian can fix our energy problems, former
Governor El Rufai is certainly one of such people.”
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