Scheming, lobbying and maneuvering for preference by politicians are some of the activities that are likely to dominate the polity this month as President Muhammadu Buhari is set to appoint members of his executive council as he has earlier promised.
Buhari took many expectant politicians by surprise
when he postponed the appointment till September. Explaining the reason for the delay, the President was quoted to have said in an article published onWashington Post that he decided to put off the appointment to enable him to make the right choice(s).
He justified his action by making reference to the United States President, Barack Obama, who did not have his full cabinet several months after he took the oath of office.
Buhari was quoted in the article as saying, “In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.
“I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realise the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight.
“In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said, ‘Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.’”
Also addressing journalists at the recent African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Buhari attributed the delay to the late submission of the transition committee’s report on the previous administration to him.
The President had said that he was being careful to avoid making mistakes while appointing individuals to key positions such as in the ministries of finance and petroleum resources.
Buhari had said, “I was waiting for this report because I would like to know what position in the government especially in terms of finance and petroleum industry. So, I am not in a hurry to get ministers.
“I want to get ministers after at least I have seen the report because I don’t have to appoint a minister today and sack him the next week because this report would give me what actually happened in terms of security, economy of the country.”
Human rights activist, Aborishade, said: “The President should bring on board people who have a track record of demonstrable concerns for public good, those who are known to have made sacrifices and spared some thought for public good and who have not merely made a mark only in their individual private businesses.
“The next ministers should be persons who are willing to serve the public without earning salaries or persons who are prepared to serve by earning salaries not more than 12 times the statutory national minimum wage, plus reimbursement of any incidentals such as transportation and/or accommodation when they travel or embark on public functions.
“Such persons should be knowledgeable in the practical functions or objectives of the ministry where they are to be chief executive officers. In this regard, professionals in each ministry and/or credible unionists working in given ministries, should be subject to popular election by their peers and recall once they fall short of public expectations.”
Above all, Aborisade asked Buhari to set up a standard that should be used to measure the performance of the ministers and other political office holders.
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