President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s approval to appoint 20 special advisers who will assist in the administration of his presidency. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read the letter during the plenary session on Tuesday, marking President Tinubu’s first communication with the Senate since assuming office on 29 May.
The letter did not specify the individuals or their respective portfolios that President Tinubu intended to appoint as special advisers. Following the reading of the letter, the Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East), proposed that the Senate consider and approve the President’s request to appoint 20 Special Advisers. The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda.
Consequently, the Senate granted its approval for President Tinubu’s request to appoint the 20 special advisers. Notably, President Tinubu had recently named George Akume, a former governor of Benue State, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as his Chief of Staff.
As the current ninth Senate nears its conclusion next week, any future appointments by President Tinubu will be deliberated by the incoming 10th Senate, set to be inaugurated on 13 June.
