Ahead of the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, the race for cabinet appointments has begun.
A former Military Administrator, three outgoing governors and 15 ministers are jostling for cabinet seats.
There
were indications last night that the Office of the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF) may be zoned to the North-Central in
favour of a Christian candidate.
Besides, there is pressure on the President to revert to a 42-man cabinet structure as part of his pledge of inclusiveness.
The
new structure will include the constitutionally recommended 36
ministers from each state of the federation and six others representing
each of the nation’s geopolitical zones — if Buhari embraces the idea.
The President is yet to give a commitment on the 42-man structure, The Nation has learnt.
Lobbyists, including governors and ministers, have been mounting pressure on influential citizens to put in a word for them.
Women are said to be demanding more ministerial jobs, including “strategic ministries”.
The pressure is said to have accounted for the recommendation of a 42-man cabinet.
A
source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of those seeking to be
ministers include a former Military Administrator, three of the outgoing
governors and no fewer than 15 of the over 30 ministers who will
complete their tenure on May 22.
“As for the three outgoing
governors, two may represent their geopolitical zones, depending on the
outcome of consultations between the President and leaders from their
zones.”
“No fewer than 15 ministers are said to be seeking a
second chance because “some of them who faltered in office are claiming
that they have learnt their lessons”.
“All these ministerial
aspirants have been mounting pressure on the members of the Kitchen
Cabinet of the President in order to be picked.”
Concerning the
ex-MILAD, another source said: “Some forces within the first family are
lobbying that the ex-Military Administrator should be made the Chief of
Staff but the President seems to have confidence in the present holder,
Mallam Abba Kyari. When the lobbying was stuck, they made a case for the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation for the former MILAD.
Now, the game has changed to a desire for a ministerial appointment.
“The
only thing which can make the Office of the Chief of Staff to be vacant
is if Kyari is given a choice ministerial appointment.
“Although
the ex-MILAD will add value to the government, the only hurdle facing
him is how he allegedly abandoned Buhari in the defunct Congress for
Progressives Change ( CPC) in 2011 for the Peoples Democratic Party(
PDP) without deferring to him. Some Buhari supporters do not want him to
appoint the ex-MILAD as a minister.”
There were indications that
the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
might be zoned to the North-Central in favour of a Christian candidate.
But
some party leaders have been making a strong case for the Southeast to
produce the SGF despite the zone’s rejection of Buhari at the poll.
A
government source said: “Definitely, the SGF post will shift from the
Northeast to another zone because the Northeast has enjoyed the slot in
the last four years, with Engr. Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha
occupying the office.
“The Northcentral looks more favoured with a Christian candidate for the slot.”
Some
All Progressives Congress ( APC) leader prefer that the Southeast
should produce the SGF, despite the zone’s hostility to Buhari during
the just-concluded general elections, the source added.
Pushing
for a return to the 42-man cabinet structure, it was learnt, are some of
the President’s “strategists” and some governors.
In 2015, Buhari opted for the constitutionally recommended cabinet weight to save cost.
A
source in the Presidency said: “The need for inclusiveness in
governance has led to the suggestion that we should have 42 ministers.”
Section 147(1-3) directs the President to appoint at least 36 ministers.
The
section reads: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the
Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.
“Any
appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the
Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is
confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.
“Any
appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall
be in conformity with the provisions of Section 14(3) of this
Constitution:
“Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”
Source:- Thenationonlineng
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