Two prominent politicians from Kaduna State are in battle of wits over ministerial appointment as Senator Isaiah Balat and a serving Senator, Nenadi Esther Usman, are battling to become the ministerial nominee from their state.
However, speculations are rife that Amina Yakowa, widow of late Governor Patrick Yakowa who died in a helicopter crash last year, may be favoured for the nomination. Although information available to Nigerian Pilot suggests that she is reluctant to go into active politics or serve any political office for now.
This is coming in the wake of vacancy created after President Jonathan dropped some members of his cabinet recently.
Balat is presently the Special Adviser on Special Duties to Vice President Namadi Sambo, while Nenadi represents Southern Kaduna zone in the Senate. Nenadi previously served as Finance minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo, replacing current Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala after she was redeployed to Foreign Affairs.
The source explained the intrigues surrounding the struggle. “The immediate past minister from Kaduna was a woman, Hajiya Mailafiya, since there is the belief that the president will replace all women with other women, hopes of women making it from Kaduna has been kept alive.