Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and a former senator, Ms. Gbemisola Saraki, are likely to be among fresh ministerial nominees whose names would be submitted to the Senate next week.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday swore in 11 new ministers and said next week more ministers would be appointed.

He did not give the fresh names, but sources told Daily Trust that Shekarau would be nominated to replace Mrs Jamila Salik whose nomination last month was rescinded.

Shekarau’s coming is meant to strengthen the PDP machinery in Kano ahead of the 2015 general elections, party insiders said.

A source close to the former governor said when he defected from the APC last month, he was offered a ministerial slot and he decided to put up himself to fill in the post.

“His supporters said it is only with Shekarau as minister that PDP would be able to successfully challenge Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso in Kano,” a politician privy to the matter said.

The former governor’s supporters argue that Kwankwaso himself was able to maintain his political relevance and stage a comeback in 2011 simply because he was minister of defence in 2003-2007.

Sources in the government said Shekarau may be appointed Federal Capital Territory minister or Education Minister. The incumbent ministers holding these portfolios-Bala Mohammed from Bauchi and Nyesom Wike from Rivers- are likely to resign ahead of the general elections in which they are aspiring for governorship positions.

Sports minster fired

A source in the Presidency said Ms. Gbemisola Saraki would also be nominated from Kwara State to replace Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi who was removed yesterday.

She is a younger sister of Senator Bukola Saraki, who defected from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) late last year.

Ms. Saraki and her brother had been political foes since the build up to the 2011 elections when they stood for elections on different party platforms. She ran for governor on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), backed by their father Dr. Olusola Saraki.

She recently returned to the PDP, following Dr. Bukola Saraki’s defection, and has now joined hands with other defectors to face the APC-run government in the state.

Yesterday, President Jonathan, while swearing in the 11 new ministers at the State House in Abuja, replaced the Sports Minister Abdullahi with 44-year-old Tamuno Danagogo from Rivers State.

Abdullahi was not at yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, apparently having gotten wind of his removal.

At the swearing in, Jonathan was silent on Abdullahi’s fate but presidential spokesman Reuben Abati later told journalists that he was sacked.