Date: 2013-12-06

President Goodluck has commenced covert process of replacing ministers who were dropped on September 11, 2013.

Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that nominees of three states had secured security clearance.

It was learnt that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'Abba, has been nominated to replace the erstwhile Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamshudeen Usman as Kano State representative in the federal cabinet.

A security source told the Nigerian Tribune that he had secured security clearance.

A nominee has also been reportedly picked to replace the erstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada from Osun State.

He is the current chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engineer Jide Adeniji.

Nigerian Tribune was also reliably informed that he has secured security clearance.

Pockets of protest have however reportedly trailed his nomination, with petitions said to have been filed against his imminent appearance at the Senate for clearance.

A certain part of the state is reportedly rising up in arms against his nomination because the ambassadorial slot for the state is currently occupied by Dr Yemi Farounbi who is from the same area as Adeniji.

Adeniji is from Ila-Orangun, the same senatorial district as Farounbi who is from Ora.

Farounbi, Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines is also an ally of Adeniji.

The nominee had a tough time securing Senate approval for his current job.

A consistent argument against him is that he is an Abuja politician without support at home.

A new minister is also set to emerge from Kwara State, though a full cabinet minister is still in place.

Senator Gbemi Saraki, it was learnt, has also been given security clearance to become a minister though Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, is still in the cabinet.

 The minister, according to a source, is currently under intense pressure from those in the camp of Jonathan since he is seen as an acolyte of former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, who has just defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The pressure is about loyalty question since his political godfather is now an opponent of his current employer.

Jonathan is, however, said to be disposed to keeping him in the cabinet due to his brilliance and successes achieved by his ministry.

 Gbemi is reportedly coming into the cabinet as the rallying force for what is left of her late father's political dynasty that stayed back in the PDP.

The North-Central slot may eventually go to her if Abdullahi is retained by Jonathan.

Na'Abba's former deputy, Chibudom Nwuche, may also end up with the South-South slot last held by erstwhile Minister of Housing, Ms Ama Pepple as Rivers State representative.

Nyesom Wike is strongly favoured to retain his job. But with his alleged governorship ambition, his exit may see Nwuche take over the Rivers' slot.