Key Security Agents Currently Running Checks On 45 Likely CabinetMembers Of President Elect's Executive Council.

Three key security agencies in the country including the Department of State Service, DSS, the Directorate of Military Intelligence, DMI, and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, are separately combing their confidential files for security reports on 45 eminent Nigerians pencilled down by the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari as ministers.

An impeccable source told Sunday Mirror yesterday that the list of the prospective ministers were sent to the security agencies, few days ago, to run the checks ahead of the inauguration of General Buhari’s government.

On the list were Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor and erstwhile PDP National Secretary; Chief Bode Mustapha, former PDP National Auditor and All Progressives Congress stalwart from Ogun State; and Engineer Segun Oni, former Ekiti State governor and APC Deputy National Chairman (South West).

Others include Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State; Dr. Abba Ruma, a former Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and Chief Kanu Agabi, a former Minister of Justice.

Donald Duke, a former Governor of Cross River State; Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State; Yinka Folashade Oredola, a pharmacist from Ondo State; Rotimi Akeredolu, a former gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, one of the parties that came together to form the APC in Ondo State; Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Engineer Funsho Kupolokun, former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso of Kano State also made the list.

Others are Bisola Adegbenro, a Senator-elect from Ogun State; Isaiah Danjuma, son of General TY Danjuma from Taraba State; Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation; Kehinde Lawanson, a former Executive Director of First Bank; and Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), former Minister of Justice.

The list, it was authoritatively gathered, yesterday, had the input of key supporters of General Buhari in the last presidential poll, which he clearly won.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the security check being run on them is part of the multi-stage appointment process.

The source, who preferred anonymity, added that there would be no waiver for any of the 45 candidates who failed the security test.

His words: “This security report being awaited is very important to General Buhari’s government. He is known as an upright person. He believes too that he was massively voted because of that quality. Even though he is not particularly interested in any candidature, his interest is in what the candidates can offer and their records. He does not want anybody with dirty record to tarnish his government.

“Some governments may overlook security reports about candidates being considered for ministerial appointment, but Buhari is not willing to compromise on this,” he said.

Some of the names on the list had tested high political offices at both state and Federal levels and came from different geo-political zones of the country.

However, it is not clear if all those screen and passed will get appointments as Buhari has indicated that he will run a slim cabinet.

Serious pressure is being piled on him nonetheless, to ensure that the political appointments go round in order to satisfy the various interests that helped secure his victory.

Source The Mirror.