Still On The Technocrats To Be Ministers.Dr Samuel Ortom Makes List Too.

The new Federal Executive Council (FEC) continues to shapen up as more names have been short listed by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The new names submitted by the President include Prof. Bassey Ewah from Akwa Ibom State and the National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Samuel Ortom from Benue State. From Kwara State is a former Editor at THISDAY Newspapers and former Commissioner for Education in Kwara state, Bolaji Abdullahi. He is to represent Kwara State.
Abdullahi who was at the State Security Service (SSS) office at the weekend is expected to keep a final date with the SSS Monday.
According to THISDAY sources, the name of the National Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje was withdrawn at the last minutes. No reason was given.  Abdullahi's name was not in the earlier list submitted to the presidency by the former governor of Kwara state, Dr. Bukola Saraki. His nomination and subsequent screening brings to an end the ministerial nomination from the North Central State. The nomination of Abdullahi from Kwara state and Mary Onyeli-Omagbemi from Anambra state is seen as part of generational change in the administration of  Jonathan.
Also listed is the current national auditor of PDP, Dr. Samuel Ortom. He is from Benue state and was the Director of Administration and Logistics of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council. Hitherto, Ortom was a local government chairman and for seven years held the positions of  the state secretary of the PDP and  deputy state chairman of the party  before his emergence  as the National Auditor.
The ministerial nominee for Akwa Ibom state is Prof. Bassey Ewah. Sources said he is a direct nominee of Jonathan. According to the source, "the President overruled the nominee of Governor Godswill Akpabio who had earlier nominated the immediate past Minister of Housing and Lands, Hon. Nduese Essen for continuity, since he pioneered the ministry since creation". So far, all the states have one ministerial nomination, except Cross River State .  The state governor, Liyel Imoke had submitted 10 names but it is not known whom the President will choose.
The list of the ten nominees submitted include the immediate Minister of Environment John Ogar Odey. Others are Peter Abang Ojie Martina, Odom Julius Okputu, Edem Duke, Andem San Catherina, Uyok Okon, Ambassador Soni Abang, Prince Ebuta Ayuk and Mrs.  Margaret Ebokpo. The only outstanding ministerial nominees is from the six geo-political zones.