Ministerial Nominees: Ameachi, Fayemi, Fashola Reportedly Fail Screening

Strong indications have emerged that three former Governors, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers state and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state have failed President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial screening test.

According to the report, those already said to have been screened as nominees include a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a Lagos-lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and Ifueko Omogui-Okauru.

Also on the list are a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazu (retd.); an ex-chief executive of the Federal Inland Revenue, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru; a former finance commissioner in Lagos State, Mr. Wale Edun; and a former National Legal Adviser to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Surprisingly, immediate past governors, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Ameachi and Kayode Fayemi, have allegedly failed to pass the President’s anti-corruption test.

The trio worked hard for the former Head of State to emerge the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential flag bearer as well as for him to get elected President and were seen as top contenders for positions in Buhari’s cabinet.

A highly placed security source at the weekend disclosed that the DSS did not clear three ministerial nominees, who are former governors, based on allegations of corruption brought against them before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC.

According to the source, the security agency allegedly refused to clear the three former governors based on a series of petitions written against them over allegations bordering on money laundering, fraud and embezzlement.

The source further added that when the three affected former governors appeared before the DSS screening committee, they were confronted with the petitions and other relevant documents attached to the petitions.

It was gathered that the screening of the nominees had been concluded on Friday.

President Buhari had earlier promised to unveil his cabinet before September 31.