•Gives Marafa, Tinubu juicy committees
•Ndume’s fate unknown

From FRED ITUA, Abuja

In a shocking move, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday, announced a major reshuffling of heads of various standing committees in the Red Chamber, with  key members of the Unity Forum, his most outspoken critic in getting juicy posting. The rejig is coming barely eight months after chairmen of the 64 Senate committees were announced.
The new committee reshuffling, followed the recommendations of an adhoc committee which was set up by Saraki about three months ago. Senator James Manager was appointed as chairman of the adhoc committee to come up with recommendations on how to resolve the unending crisis the Senate.
Wife of former Lagos state governor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Saraki’s arcrival, Senator Kabiru Marafa from Zamfara state, got the biggest deals of the day. While Mrs Tinubu was appointed chairman Environment, displacing former governor of Yobe state, Abba Ibrahim,Marafa on the other hand got Petroleum (downstream) Committee.
Until his appointment as chairman of Senate committee chairman on Petroleum (Downstream), Marfa headed National Identity committee, a position he outrightly rejected. Similarly, Mrs Tinubu previously headed the Senate Committtee on Women Affairs.
Saraki who made the announcement at about 3.30pm yesterday, also reeled out names of other Senators, drawn from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the new reshuffling, Senator Hope Uzodinma was appointed chairman, committee on Customs. Adamu Aliero was moved to Aviation as chairman. Barau Jubril, who until now, acted as Petroleum (Downstream) committee chairman, was moved to Tertiary Institutions.
Binta Garba Masi, who also headed Tertiary Institutions, now heads Women Affairs committee which was hitherto presided over by Mrs Tinubu. Senator Joshua Dariye now heads Public Procurement committee, James Manager, who until now headed Power Committee now presides over Solid Minerals.
Enyinnaya Abaribe who was committee chairman on Information and National Orientation, now heads Power Committee. Information and National Orientation committee is now headed by Adokwe Suleiman.
Legislative Compliance committee is now headed by Babajide Omoworare, while Rules and Business now goes to Baba Kaka Garbai. Federal Character committee is now headed by Tijani Kaura, while National Identity is now headed by one of Saraki’s arc critics, Suleiman Hunkuyi.
Meanwhile, the President has also announced Ahmed Ogembeas vice chairman of Marine Transport committee. Ovie Omo Agege from Delta state is now Vice chairman of Land Transport. Downstream Petroleum now has Senate Minority Whip, Philip Aduda as Vice chairman.
Unity Forum Senators, headed by Barnabas Gemade, had earlier in the year, given conditions to the Senate president, insisting that peace would only be restored in the Red Chamber if the conditions were met.
Part of the conditions were the reshuffling of heads of committees, replacement of Ali Ndume as Senate Leader and in his place, Senator Ahmad Lawan appointed in line with the position of the party.
While Saraki has fulfilled one of the conditions by reshuffling heads of juicy committees, he silent on the fate of Ndume whose fate is still hanging in the balance.
With the extension of an olive branch to his arcrivals, it is unclear whether or not the forgery case instituted against the duo of Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu by Unity Forum Senators will be withdrawn.
During the week, Governor Aminu Masari, Ken Nnamani, and David Mark met President Muhammadu Buhari. Although they refused to speak on their mission, observers believed it was over the cold war between the senate and the presidency.