Senator Oluremi Tinubu was among the senators who got new committees when the Nigerian Senate reshuffled the standing committees on Thursday, July 21.
This move is considered by many as a way of wooing some senators who are hostile to Mr. Saraki’s continued leadership of the upper legislative chamber while punishing others.
The moves appears to be part of Saraki’s efforts to heal a senate that is divided by Mr. Saraki’s election. It came hours after he denied he was returning to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Senate President made Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, the chair of the committee on Environment. He also appointed one of his staunchest critics, Senator Kabiru Marafa, as the chairman of the committee on downstream petroleum.
Suleiman Hukunyi, the secretary of the Unity Forum, a pressure group the campaigned against Mr. Saraki’s election, was appointed chairman committee on national identity.
Mr. Hukunyi signed the Unity Forum’s petition accusing Mr. Saraki of forging the senate rules, a charge the senate president and three others are currently facing in court.
This is coming on the first hosting of his APC senator colleagues. He said the move would strengthen the workings of the senate.
List of the new appointments
Customs – Hope Uzodinma
Aviation – Adamu Aliero
Environment – Oluremi Tinubu
Petroleum Downstream – Kabiru Marafa
Tertiary Education – Barau Jibril
Women Affairs – Binta Garba
Public Procurement – Joshua Dariye
Solid Minerals – James Manager
Power – Eyinnaya Abaribe
Information and National Orientation – Suleiman Adokwe
National Identity – Suleiman Hukunyi
Legislative Compliance – Babajide Omoworare
Rules and Business – Baba Garba
Federal Character – Tijani Kaura
Deputy Chairpersons
Marine Transport – Ahmed Ogembe
Land Transport – Ovie Omo-Agege
Petroleum downstream – Phillip Aduda
