Cabinet: Ex-ministers Hang Around Abuja, As Buhari Left Govs, Others Guessing

Most of the former ministers who served under President Muhammadu Buhari first tenure are hanging around Abuja to lobby for their return to the new cabinet or simply await their fate as Mr. President is keeping issue of new cabinet appointment to himself.

According to report BIGPEN Online sourced from The Nation, most of the Governors are also kept in the dark and apparently left guessing just like other Nigerians over the new ministerial appointment.

The newspaper report that so far, the state governors have had no say and have made no input to the expected list because they are not being involved by the President in any way.

The report says a governor admitted last night that the President is coordinating the shortlist of the members of his new team all alone.

“As I talk to you, the President has not asked for any recommendation or a list of nominees from APC governors.

“Some of us have tried to suggest some names to him but he never said yes or no. I can say playing any role in assembling the cabinet is beyond us this time around. We are awaiting the ministerial list like all Nigerians,” he said.

President Buhari is also keeping his ex-ministers in suspense over their chances of returning to the cabinet, the newspaper said, saying a few others have been appearing at official events involving the President without specific roles.

There are indications that about 70 per cent of the ex-ministers may not be reappointed by the President.

None of the ex-ministers has received assurance from the President of likely reappointment, according to the source quoted by the newspaper, who also revealed that although the President has been sending some of these ex-ministers on errands as emissaries, it has been difficult for them to know their reappointment status with the President.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Most of the ex-ministers are still in Abuja for intense lobbying, but Buhari is keeping them in suspense.

“In spite of the fact that about 15 of them are interested in coming back, the President is yet to make any commitment to any of them or those lobbying for them.

“The situation is so dicey that no one can confidently say that he or she is sure of a return ticket to the cabinet.

“Even those rated as anointed among the ex-ministers cannot guarantee their second term in office.

“A few former ministers have wielded contacts from abroad but Buhari has kept his game plan to his chest”, the newspaper source said.