FORMER Military President Ibrahim Babangida, speaking yesterday, on his ambition to take another shot at the Presidency next year, said he was still consulting with his political associates on how to prosecute the 2011 presidential election.

INTENSE lobbying for positions, yesterday, characterised the placement of ministers into various portfolios as various political and interest groups lobbied for their candidates to be given what they consider ‘juicy ministries.’

THERE are indications that Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s list of ministerial nominees has not gone down well with some Northern governors who felt they were not consulted before the choices were made.

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar‘Adua’s nephew, Murtala Yar’Adua, Tuesday, said he would bring hope and the energy of youth to the government of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan which was ushered in to replace that of his ailing uncle.

SENATE President David Mark had to step in, yesterday, to stem the uproar generated in the upper house when Prof. Dora Akunyili was being screened by the Senate.

There was uproar at the Senate today when Prof. Dora Akunyili was placed on the spot light as the Senate commenced screening of ministerial nominees in Abuja.

FORMER ministers who were members of the immediate past cabinet of President Umaru Yar‘Adua face the greatest hurdles in scaling the ministerial screening commencing today.

As the Senate prepares to commence, later this week, the screening of ministerial nominees, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan is now weighing diverse options on how to handle the situation of President Umaru Yar’Adua who has not been seen in public since November 23, 2009.

Eagles’ new Technical Adviser, Lars Lagerback was deadpan when he warned that himself and his team will not tolerate any form of indiscipline and stated that any player that cannot handle the rules of engagement does not deserve to be in the squad that will make it to the World Cup.

THE National Assembly, yesterday, approved a harmonized N4.6 trillion 2010 budget for the Federal Government directed at boosting infrastructure development across the country.

EIGHT additional ministerial nominees including erstwhile Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili and her National Planning counterpart, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman were presented to the Senate yesterday.

A LIST of 25 ministerial nominees was, yesterday, delivered to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark.

DESPITE frantic moves by the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, to beat Acting President Goodluck Jonathan into political line over the composition of the new Executive Council of the Federation, EXCOF, the party appears to be losing out as its input to the expected cabinet was still very scanty, at press time.

THE Presidency is considering six names as likely replacement for Professor Maurice Iwu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Vanguard can authoritatively reveal.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s consolidation of his grip on power is drawing applause from the United States of America which says his efforts are easing a political crisis that once fanned fears of instability in the country.