No Ministers For Buhari Until September –Sources

BEVERLY HILLS, June 29 (THEWILL) – Indications have emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in a hurry to form his cabinet and may not appoint Ministers until after two months.

The indications came despite criticisms from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Nigerians did not vote for a sole administrator as it called on the President to announce his Ministers.

But President Buhari appears to be taking his time and may not give in to the pressure of forming his cabinet without a thorough cleansing of what Presidency sources described as the mess left by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Confirming the new development to a group of journalists in Abuja, weekend, was a Presidency official, who craved anonymity.

According to the official, Buhari was not in a hurry to build on a “rotten foundation,” allegedly built by the PDP administration.

Major dailies in Nigeria robustly published the report of the delay in Monday’s prints.

His words: “You cannot even begin to imagine the situation we have met on the ground. Almost everything is in a state of decay. There is absolutely no way the new government can hope to achieve anything long-lasting without first building a new foundation.”

Though the Senate has approved 15 Special Advisers for the President, the advisers have not been named.

On the plans of Buhari, especially his reluctance to announce his cabinet members, the Presidency source said: “The President plans to cut down the number of ministries and parastatals. He wants to cut down the cost of running government. He wants to make sure that all the loopholes that enable corruption to thrive are blocked. All these are procedures that require time and careful planning. You cannot do it in a rush.”

The presidency source also blamed the delay on the need for the President to properly study the full report of the transition committee recently submitted to him by the Transition Committee chairman, Ahmed Joda.

“You would recall that Joda had recommended the consolidation of ministries to 19 to create a leaner structure in government. This is not far removed from the Oronsaye report of 2012, which also recommended the consolidation of parastatals and agencies of the federal government.

“So what the president wants to do is to put a structure in place that cuts waste, reduces or eliminates corruption and introduces efficiency in the system.

“This is the thing. Remember that he has to make sure that all these are done without any job losses or mass retrenchment. All this is not a day's or one-month job,” the source said.

Also, the ongoing crisis at the National Assembly which forced the Senate to a month's recess may have stopped the President from making any ministerial appointment until the resumption of legislative duties by the lawmakers.

“Look at how they are fighting among themselves .The Senate has now adjourned till July 21. That means there would be no one to scrutinise or approve any ministerial list until the end of July,” the Presidency source said.