President Muhammadu Buhari has come up with the first key appointment in his cabinet, amid speculation surrounding his ministerial list.
According to Premium Times, Buhari broke the news about who would head the ministry of petroleum on Tuesday, September 29, in New York in the course of the Global Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism.
It should be recalled that shortly after the May 29 inauguration indications emerged that Buhari was set to appoint himself at the petroleum minister as “nobody’s hands are clean enough to do the surgical changes needed”, which was said by one of the president’s associates.
Buhari yesterday unveiled the new appointee for the position, appointing himself as minister of petroleum.
“I will remain minister of petroleum. I will appoint a minister of state for petroleum.”
Buhari, who had identified anti-graft war as one of his government’s priorities, explained that the aim of the move was to ensure eliminating corruption and massive theft in the sector.
He vowed to start the probe of corrupt officials of the past administrations involved in the looting of NNPC funds.
As for the other candidacies, which Buhari had promised to forward at the end of September, their names are expected to be directed to the National Assembly today, September 30.
Welcoming Nigeria’s senators on Tuesday after the recess, Senate president Bukola Saraki noted that the screening process would be very thorough.
“As we await the list of ministerial nominees this week, we are prepared to treat the screening with dispatch but with thoroughness. I believe the presence of ministers will create the space for greater policy engagement with the executive arm of government.
“I want to urge you all my colleagues to ensure that what is uppermost in our minds as we begin the constitutional task of screening of ministerial nominees is the overall interest of our country.
“Once the list is submitted, let us ensure that we treat it with dispatch and thoroughness. We must not be held down by unnecessary politicking. The enormity of our national challenges at this time does not give room for pettiness or politics of vendetta.”
President Buhari has been harshly criticised over his delay in appointing his cabinet. However, the president promised to name his ministers at the end of September. This topic has become one of the most widely discussed political issues in the country.
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