By Clifford Ndujihe,  Deputy Political Editor

FOLLOWING the criticisms that trailed his first list of ministerial nominees, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his second list has shown, arguably, that he knows his onions.

In a way, he is giving Nigerians a blend of experienced  politicians, technocrats, administrators, academics and even the clergy as ministers.

Such blend, if properly harnessed can go a long way to drive and actualise his change agenda.

Change agenda

A dissection of the 36-man list (since Ahmed Isa Ibeto of Niger State has been withdrawn as nominee) shows a galaxy of five former governors, nine lawyers, six women, four former senators, three academics, two medical doctors, two retired soldiers and a clergy among others.

Buhari’s love for lawyers: It appears the government will be a stickler for rule of law if President Buhari’s up-welling love for lawyers is anything to go by. He has nominated nine lawyers in his proposed cabinet. If all of them are approved by the Senate it will be the first time in the political history of the country that there will be 10 lawyers in the highest hierarchy.

Lawyers nominated as nominees are Raji Babatunde Fashola, SAN; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Ocholi James, SAN; Adebayo Shittu; Senator Aisha Al-Hassan; Jeffrey Onyema, a top class intellectual property lawyer; Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachukwu, a first class investment and corporate lawyer; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Apart from the above, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, SAN;  Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, are also lawyers. With these array of lawyers in the proposed cabinet, it is difficult to guess who the Minister of Justice will  be and Nigerians can only hope for a regime where the rule of law will be the order of the day.

Not yet a lady’s man: From the number of women nominated, President Buhari has, arguably, not yet qualified as a lover of women, compared to his predecessors – Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

The six women he nominated are Aisha Alhassan, Kemi Adeosun, Zainab Ahmed, Aisha Abubakar, Amina Mohammed and Hajia Khadija Bukar-Ibrahim.

Love for tested hands: It also appears that President Buhari wants tested and experienced administrators to stabilise the ship of state. Thus, he has five former governors on his list, namely: Chris Ngige (Anambra), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Ogbonnaya Onu (Abia).

Love for experience

Love for experience also accounts for the presence of Second Republic minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh in the team.

Rapport with lawmakers: With his nomination of four senators – Chris Ngige, Aisha Alhassan, Hadi Sirika, Udoma Udo Udoma and Heineken Lokpobiri, President Buhari is cutting the picture of a man who wants a rapport with the legislature. And surely,  he will get what he wants the way the screening of the nominees is going in the Senate.

Love for academics: It can also be taken for granted that President Buhari has a deep regard for those in the ivory tower.

At least, he has four nominees, who have made their mark in the university system and some of them are still very fresh. They include Professors Isaac Adewole, Cladius Omoleye Daramola, Anthony Onwuka and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Keeping a tab on his roots: President Buhari did not, as expected, forget his military roots. He has two strong representatives from that quarters in the persons of Brig General Dan Ali and General Abdulrahman Dambazzau.

Technocrats and change agents: The team also has two medical doctors – Chris Ngige and Dr Okechukwu Enelamah; a clergyman – Pastor Usani Uguru among other technocrats and change agents, who are expected to contribute robustly at the in-coming Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the overall betterment of the country.

Will they deliver? Only time will tell.