BY LEKE ADESERI, South West Regional Editor

LAGOS — THERE were indications, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to put aside the lists sent by state chapters of the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, based on his insistence for clean records from those that would play leading roles in his new government.

Vanguard learnt that the President’s inclination followed the furore that trailed the submission of nominations by state chapters of the PDP, and his determination to hit the ground running immediately the cabinet is reconstituted.

It was also gathered, yesterday, that the Presidency had already forwarded names of the ministerial nominees to security agencies for screening preparatory to submission to the Senate.

Prior to his hesitation, the President was said to have pruned the ten names earlier forwarded by the state chapters of the PDP to two per state.

President’s vacillation

The President’s vacillation on the submission from PDP chapters, it was learnt, may have been reinforced by the same circumstances that placed the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim above Chief Ojo Maduekwe in the choice of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. That scenario, it was learnt, will be repeated in the choice of ministers.

Usually reliable Presidency sources told Vanguard: “The party had presented Chief Ojo Maduekwe’s name to the President for approval as SGF but after a long perusal the President said he preferred a personality whose appointment would generate no controversy. He then decided on Senator Anyim.”

It would be recalled that Chief Maduekwe touched Igbo sensibilities after allegedly saying in 2003 that aspirations towards Igbo presidency at that time was idiotic.

The source said: “If this stance by the President is extended to choice of ministers, which is most likely,  it will block the chances of many people on the PDP lists.”

Those whose names were presented for appointments that may be negatively affected include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, whose is reportedly having a running battle with his colleagues over a N10billion loan and other sundry issues.

Also, virtually all the names of immediate past governors being bandied as having issues to settle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are on the lists from their states, recommending them for appointment as ministers

They include former governors Adebayo Alao Akala of Oyo State; Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State; and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. Names of other ex_governors being bandied as being under investigation by the EFCC, are Ibrahim Shekarau,  Kano State; Ibrahim Shinkafi, Zamfara State; Modu Sheriff,  Borno State; and Akwe Doma, Nasarawa State.

Also featured on the lists from their states are names of former governors Segun Agagu, Ondo State; Segun Oni, Ekiti State; and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun State.

The same inclination towards avoiding controversy was, yesterday, said to be affecting the prospects of the immediate past governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau in the new government.

Vanguard gathered that in a bid to strengthen its tentacles in the North, the Presidency had invited Shekarau who was the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP into his new government.

Though the role Shekarau was invited to play could not be confirmed, there were indications, yesterday, that the invitation may hit the rocks if the President should also use the same parameters he is alleged to have employed in pruning the submissions from the PDP.