By Henry Umoru & Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA— PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, submitted the name of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for screening and subsequent confirmation, just as he dropped Architect Tonye Cole from Rivers State.

But the Senate yesterday suspended Ministerial screening due to Senators’ demand for harmonisation of names of nominees.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, confirmed that the President sent two letters to the Senate, one, nominating Okonjo-Iweala for confirmation and another withdrawing Tonye Cole from Rivers State.

Ndoma-Egba, who also commented on opposition to the confirmation of Dr. Obadiah Ando by Senators from Taraba State, urged the nominee to settle whatever issue he has with his constituency.

Ndoma-Egba, who   clarified the suspension of screening of ministers, noted that it was done to allow the Senate work with a single list, adding that the introduction and withdrawal of Okonjo-Iweala and Cole respectively made the Senators demand a comprehensive list from the President, with which to work on.

Earlier, Senator Chris Ngige, ACN, Anambra State faulted the swearing in of 12 ministers last Saturday by President Jonathan.

Ngige coming under Order 14 of the Senate Standing rule observed that his privileges were abused by the President who assigned portfolios to the ministers without the comprehensive confirmation by the Senate.

He maintained that the process should have been done in a procedural manner instead of swearing in some Ministers while others are waiting.

But while responding, Senate President, David Mark absolved the President of blame, saying the Senate had written to the President notifying him of the confirmation of the Ministers.

“We did approval and confirmation here. It was approved and I wrote a letter to the President telling him about those we have screened and confirmed.”

Before the Senate adjourned yesterday, Senate leader Victor Ndoma-Egba had moved a motion that the Senate should sit beyond 2pm as the official sitting time, but the Senators opposed it that they should adjourn even when Senate President David Mark pleaded with colleagues that they should give it positive response.

Soon after the Senate President read a letter from President Jonathan on the nomination of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as a Ministerial nominee and another letter from the President dropping the name of Tonye Cole, the Senate then adjourned.

Ministerial nominees listed for screening and confirmation yesterday include former Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, Lagos, the embattled ex-minister of Water Resources, Dr, Obadiah Ando(Taraba), Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, Akwa Ibom, Comrade Abba Moro, Benue; Dr. Samuel Ioraer Ortom, Benue; Alhaji Bukar Tijani, Borno; Arc. Mike Onolememen, Edo; Professor Bath Nnaji, Enugu; Senator Idris Umar, Gombe and Professor Viola Onwuliri.

Others listed in accordance with section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Kebbi; Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, Kwara; Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Ogun; Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina, Ogun; Erelu Olusola Obada, Osun; Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide, Oyo; Arc. Tonye Cole, Rivers; Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, Yobe; Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Zamfara and Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi Niger state.