Real reasons Buhari’s ministerial list is delayed

In from Olumide Olaoluwa…

Nigerians anxious for immediate release of the list of ministers to be appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari will have to wait a little bit longer.

Ripples investigations revealed that Buhari’s reluctance borders on certain critical factors that he has shared with very intimate aides. One of them, according to findings, is the intricate politicking involved in the choice of would-be ministers. Buhari is poised to choose only competent men, who he believes can deliver the goods and make his change mantra a reality.

But such intention is bedeviled by two key considerations: politics of nomination and ethnicity.

It was learnt that some godfathers within the All Progressives Congress (APC) are bent on nominating only their loyalists to work with the President. While some of them are qualified for the posts in their own right, many of them fall short of the President’s expectation.

Buhari is torn between retaining the support of these key men or damning the consequences to choose only those that will deliver.

Some of the godfathers within the APC are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Others who are not card-carrying members of APC but who the President intends to defer to include former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida; former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Lt. Gen Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.)

Apart from being influential ex-military top shots, it was learnt Buhari has realised working with them will make governance easier for him.

The President has also reportedly told those close to him that he does not mind where ministers emerge from, an indication that ethnicity might not form his consideration in making his choice.

But Section 147(1-3) of the Constitution, which specifies that members of Federal Executive Council (FEC) must emerge from each of the 36 states, nullifies this presidential thinking.

Investigations revealed that some of the godfathers are not comfortable with Buhari’s insistence on competence and personal integrity.

The Lagos State slot, for example, is reserved for former Finance Commissioner, Wale Edun, who is believed to be Tinubu’s candidate while Buhari is said to be disposed to the immediate past governor, Raji Fashola.

In Ekiti, Tinubu is said to be rooting for his former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake as against Buhari’s preference, former governor Kayode Fayemi.

In Ogun State, Obasanjo and Governor Ibikunle Amosun are said to be in disagreement on who should take the slot.

In Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole and APC’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun are also at war over the choice for the slot.

These internal wrangling are said to have been a major headache for Buhari in making up his mind finally. It was also gathered that the President is also bidding his time because of the huge economic implications of having ministers.

Appointed ministers are entitled to salaries, allowances and aides all of which translate to billions of overhead costs.

The President, it is believed, is buying time so that the costs will be reduced with the passing days and weeks in view of the near empty state of the national treasury.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, is also embracing the same strategy since his reelection last August.

The President is also said to be disturbed by the in-fighting within APC lawmakers over the sharing of Principal Offices.

His aides believe sending a list to a National Assembly in turmoil might be counter-productive as the lawmakers might work against the screening of candidates against their interest.

Ripples… without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now