ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially nominated Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, the Enugu State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, to serve as a minister in the Federal Executive Council. The President’s request for confirmation was delivered to the Senate and read by Senate Presid I want to go for youent Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
In the letter, President Tinubu urged the lawmakers to give urgent consideration to the nomination. Following the announcement, Akpabio immediately referred the request to the Committee of the Whole, which is responsible for conducting the screening before forwarding its recommendation to the Senate for final approval.
“Distinguished colleagues, we have received a letter from the President requesting the confirmation of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude as Minister of the Federal Republic,” Akpabio stated. “The request will be processed in line with the traditions of this chamber.”
The nomination fills a cabinet vacancy for Enugu State, created after Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, resigned from his position earlier this year. Nnaji’s exit came amid a certificate controversy involving alleged discrepancies in academic and NYSC documents linked to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Nnaji’s resignation left Enugu State without a representative in the Federal Executive Council, prompting calls for a swift replacement. Political observers view Tinubu’s decision to nominate Dr. Ude as both a strategic and reconciliatory move aimed at restoring representation and reinforcing the administration’s commitment to transparency and merit.
Dr. Ude, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) recently conferred with the prestigious title, has earned recognition for his distinguished legal career and commitment to justice reform. As Enugu State’s Attorney-General, he is credited with advancing judicial efficiency and promoting access to justice initiatives across the state.
If confirmed, Dr. Ude will replace Nnaji and reestablish Enugu’s voice in the Federal Executive Council. His legal background and reformist reputation are expected to bring a strong professional ethos to the Tinubu administration’s policy team.
Analysts note that the Senate’s confirmation process is likely to be smooth, given Ude’s sterling credentials and clean public record. Nevertheless, the Committee of the Whole is expected to conduct a thorough vetting process before presenting its recommendation to the full Senate for a vote.
The nomination also reflects President Tinubu’s broader strategy of consolidating his cabinet following several resignations and reshuffles since mid-2025. The President is reportedly keen on reinforcing confidence in his team by appointing technocrats and professionals with proven integrity.
For Enugu State, the nomination represents a return to federal participation and a potential opportunity to strengthen the Southeast’s presence in national policymaking.
As Senate proceedings begin, all attention now turns to the National Assembly, where Dr. Ude’s confirmation hearing will determine whether he officially joins the Tinubu administration as the new minister from Enugu State.
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