Doyin Okupe, an ex-aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on the leadership of the senate to confirm Nasir el-Rufai as minister.
The senate withheld el-Rufai’s confirmation as minister over security clearance.
The red chamber had approved the appointment of 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The nominees were confirmed on Monday evening after the upper legislative chamber concluded the screening of the candidates.
El-Rufai and two other nominees — Stella Okotete (Delta) and Danladi Abubakar (Taraba) were not confirmed as the senate awaits security clearance about them.
Reacting in a post on his official Twitter handle on Wednesday, Okupe, a chieftain of the opposition Labour Party (LP), suggested that the senate may insist on an undertaken from the former governor of Kaduna that he will “refrain from making any comments or remarks on religion” while in office.
“The Nigerian senate should reconsider their decision to drop former Governor el-Rufai from the ministerial list,” Okupe wrote.
“I am not a fan of Mallam el-Rufai who I consider to be a radical of some sort and who has in the recent past demonstrated some traits of religious extremism.
“Still, very few people will doubt el-Rufai’s competence and immense capacity to perform. If it is true that he is being considered for the power ministry, I don’t think we should cut our noses to spite or faces.
“The senate may insist on an undertaking from him before his confirmation that while in office as minister, he will refrain from making any comments or remarks on religion.
“The power ministry is extremely important in our economy and in our serious efforts to combat poverty.
“If any Nigerian can fix our energy problems, former Governor El Rufai is certainly one of such people.”
