President Goodluck Jonathan has finally chosen Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State as his vice president.
If confirmed, It will show that Jonathan has picked his deputy from amongst Nigeria’s powerful state governors. The nominated vice president is a state governor from the North-western part of Nigeria.
Jonathan, who had acted as president, was sworn in last week as substantive president following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
Reports said Mr. Sambo is the Vice President chosen by Jonathan in Abuja tonight and Mr. Jonathan’s final pick will be sent to the Nigerian Senate this morning for approval and confirmation.
As usual, the nominee eventually emerged outside the speculated names.
The six top candidates – before Sambo’s name came up – are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; former Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi; Sokoto Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari; Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido; Ambassador to South Africa Gen. Buba Marwa; and Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida.
Yesterday, indications emerged that four contenders for the post of vice-president are undergoing security screening at the Department of Security Services and the name of Mohammed Sambo was not mentioned among them.
The National Assembly Northern senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) endorsed former Kaduna State Governor and Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance Ahmed Makarfi for the post.
THISDAY reported that Makarfi and Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Muktar Shagari were among those being screened.
Other sources mentioned the name of Governor of Bauchi State Isa Yuguda who as a likely choice of the PDP governors but was a hard sale among the members of the National Assembly was dropped.
The Governors Forum was also reported to be considering the candidatures of Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema who are from the North-west and Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje from North-east.
Two other senators from the North-west zone who were also tipped for the position, namely Senators Ibrahim Idah (Katsina) and Umaru Argungu (Kebbi State), reportedly withdrew their candidatures.
But Kanti, in a swift riposte, described the resolution of the NSF as “silly.”
According to him, “Though I was at the meeting and we agreed that it is the North-west that would produce the VP and it is natural to allow the President to make the nomination; it is not Governors’ Forum or NSF that would do so.
Another name frequently mentioned is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed as Vice President. But his nomination was said to be opposed by the governors who seemed to have carried the day.
Profile
Arc. Mohammed namadi sambo was born on the 2ND of august, 1952 in zaria, kaduna state of nigeria.
He is married with six children Arc. Mohammed namadi sambo started his educational career between the year 1959 at baptist primary school kakuri, kaduna and kobi pirmary school in bauchi.
Between 1967 to 1971, he attended government secondary school now alhuda-huda college in zaria. Again, from 1972 to 1973, he atteded the school of basic studies at the ahmadu bello university, zaria In 1973, he gained admission into the famous department of architecture ahmadu bellow university, zaria and graudated in 1986 with bachelor of science degree with thonours in architecture (b.sc. (hons) and holds a masters degree (m.sc.) Architecture in 1978.
As a fresh graduate in august 1978 hes served with the oyo state ministry of works and housing for the compulsory national youth service corps scheme up to the end of august 1979.
When bauchi state was created in 1976, the prospects of career advancement was provided by the new government.
He gained employment with the new state and served the state government as the first set of architects that wre involved in the design of various offices and staff housing