President Bola Tinubu has nominated Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, for appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The nomination was conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu explained that the appointment was made in line with Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint ministers subject to Senate confirmation.
“I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, SAN, for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While I trust that this request will receive your usual prompt consideration, please accept, distinguished Senate President and Senators, the assurances of my highest regards,” the letter partly read.
Dr. Udeh’s nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who stepped down last month amid controversy surrounding his academic qualifications and NYSC discharge certificate.
Nnaji’s departure had left Enugu State without representation in the Federal Executive Council, a situation that Tinubu’s latest nomination aims to correct in compliance with constitutional requirements.
Dr. Udeh, recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is regarded as one of Enugu’s most distinguished legal minds. His nomination underscores the President’s intention to ensure every state maintains representation in the cabinet.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for immediate screening and confirmation.
