The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of 20 Special Advisers.
This came after the President’s letter to the Upper Chamber requesting the approval.
However, the letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during plenary session did not have the names of the special advisers and their portfolios attached.
The Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East), moved that “the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President and C-in-C for the approval of the Senate to appoint 20 Special Advisers.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda, seconded the motion.
The Senate, therefore, approved the president’s request to appoint the 20 special advisers.
The appointment comes barely a week after the President was sworn in last Monday.
Last Friday, Tinubu also announced the appointment of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as Chief of Staff, while Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, was named Deputy Chief of Staff.
In a meeting with the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the President also named a former Governor of Benue State and immediate past Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, to serve as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Gbajabiamila’s new position was confirmed, bringing an end to weeks of speculation.
Accepting the appointment, he thanked Tinubu for “finding me worthy of being your Chief of Staff”, promising to give his best when he assumes office on June 14.
“Having spent the last 20 years in the Nigerian Parliament, and after winning my 6th term election into the National Assembly, I shall work with Mr President in discharging the enormous task ahead of him for the peace and progress of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“I shall give my best when I take office on June 14 2023 as reflected in Mr. President’s official letter,” Gbajabiamila said.
