Two ministers representing Kogi and Gombe states in cabinet to be sworn-in today by Osinbajo

ACTING president Professor Yemi Osinbajo is to swear-in ministers Stephen Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan today so they can assume office following their clearance by the senate on May 3.

Both ministers were nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to fill two vacant clots in the executive representing Kogi and Gombe states respectively. Both the slots of Kogi and Gombe states in the federal cabinet became vacant following the death of the minister of state for labour James Ocholi, who died in an accident on March 6, 2016 and the appointment of former environment Amina Mohammed, as the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations.

A presidential spokesman said: “It is very likely that the inauguration will hold today but there are still some confirmations to be made on the matter."

Their inauguration will take place inside the council chambers of the presidential villa in Abuja at the commencement of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council to be presided over by Professor Osinbajo. It is believed that with the inauguration of the new ministers, Professor Osinbajo may effect a minor cabinet reshuffle to accommodate them.

On July 11, the  House of Representatives handed down a seven-day ultimatum to Professor Osinbajo to inaugurate the ministers whose names were forwarded to the senate by President Buhari. However, Professor Osinbajo chose to confer with President Buhari first before taking the step.