The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday personally submitted the list of Nigerians already cleared as ministers to President Muhammadu Buhari inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was brief but the import was heavy as Saraki gave kudos to the Senate for the accelerated treatment and seriousness given to the job.

Saraki arrived five minutes ahead of the 3.00om meeting at 2.55pm and was ushered into one of the rooms in the President’s office.

The Senate President was accompanied by the President’s two Senior Special Assistants on Legislative Matters, Ita Enang (Senate) and Suleiman Kawu (House of Representatives). Saraki spoke briefly on his mission to the Villa and told the President that what the Senate did had never happened before in terms of the dispatch with which the nominees were confirmed.

The President was also joined by some of his aides including the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

After the ceremonial presentation of the list to the President, all security and political aides excused the two leaders who met behind closed-doors before coming out for group photographs.

Though 36 ministers were cleared President Buhari has made it clear that not all will be assigned portfolios as the government cannot fund certain ministries that were in existence before. “Nigeria is broke”, he had said to justify the frugality of his government.