President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, for appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
According to the letter, the nomination was made in line with Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint ministers subject to confirmation by the Senate.
“I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, SAN, for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Tinubu wrote. “While I trust that this request will receive your usual prompt consideration, please accept, distinguished Senate President and Senators, the assurances of my highest regards.”
Dr. Tochukwu-Udeh’s nomination comes after the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, who stepped down last month following controversy over his academic credentials and NYSC certificate.
The development had left Enugu State without representation in the Federal Executive Council a situation Tinubu’s nomination now seeks to address in compliance with constitutional requirements.
Recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tochukwu-Udeh is widely regarded as one of Enugu’s most accomplished legal practitioners. His nomination reflects the President’s continued effort to ensure every state has a voice at the federal level.
Senate President Akpabio subsequently referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation.
