President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the screening and confirmation of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Ude, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The request was contained in a letter from the President, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
According to President Tinubu, the nomination was made in accordance with Section 147 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“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. While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest regards,” the letter stated in part.
The development follows the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, from Tinubu’s government.
Nnaji, who was the only minister from Enugu State in the Tinubu administration, resigned last month over controversies surrounding his academic qualifications — including a certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
His resignation created a vacuum in the Federal Executive Council, leaving Enugu State without ministerial representation.
Udeh, a lawyer, currently serves as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State.
He was recently elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
After the letter was read, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.
