Amaechi, Fashola, Ogbeh, All In Serious Tension As Buhari Finally Fixes Date For The Appointment Of Brand New Ministers
Emerging report reveals that President Muhammadu Buhari has handed over the task of nominating new Ministers to his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
It was learnt that the expansion of the cabinet will also come with a cabinet reshuffle, and the splitting of some big Ministries.
One of the sources said: “The President had spoken, the cabinet would be expanded, but what I would add here is that there would be cabinet reshuffle, meaning fresh hands would come on board, this is certain.
“And this is where the APC would come in; the Governors are already working to get good hands, because the President said they would have a say, and the party would also have a say”, he said.
When asked if Buhari is only succumbing to pressure because he needs a second term, the source said: “No, not at all; the President is extremely popular with the masses, but the fact is there is the need to fully accommodate the interest of the party and that of the Governors.
“We are operating a federal system of government, and the President cannot operate as an island, there is a need for synergy, and this can only come when everyone has input in governance”, he said.
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Another Presidential source familiar with the issue, also revealed that based on plans, six new Ministers will be introduced, while some current Ministers may be dropped and replaced.
It was gathered that “disloyal Ministers and those with dual allegiance”, would be shown the way out.
“Above all, there are some who did not perform, and would therefore be replaced”, he said.
Our source said barring change of plans, the names of the Ministerial nominees will be submitted to the Senate for confirmation next week.
The source added that, the list was supposed to be forwarded to the Senate this week, but the plan was shelved due to the 2018 budget presentation to the joint session of the National Assembly.
Another source noted that the President is set to bring eight new Ministers into the Federal Executive Council.
“We have been told that Lagos and Kano States will get one more Minister each. The two States will have two Ministers in the cabinet”, the source, who is close to the Villa, said.
He added that one slot has been allocated to each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“From all indications the cabinet will now be 42, as against the 36 that we have at the moment.”
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The source stressed that the nominees have submitted their Curriculum Vitae, CV, to the Presidency for scrutiny.
“One of the persons being considered who is presently at the Senate, told me that he has submitted his CV. The person is from the home State of the President”, he said.
According to him, some of the serving Ministers have been penciled down for sack.
He also said some close Aides of the President may be affected.
Some Ministries, including Fashola’s Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, as well as the Amaechi’s Ministry of Transport, would be unbundled, to reduce pressure and workload on the Ministers manning them at present, our sources said.
It was gathered that while the Ministry of Power might become independent to confront gigantic projects, two more Ministries, including one in charge of Aviation, and another in charge of Railway transportation, may come on board.
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Another source said even Audu Ogbeh’s Ministry of Agriculture, might be split to have another one that would handle dry season farming and irrigation.
“Agriculture is one area the President would like to leave a legacy, and he is consulting, seriously consulting to make the Ministry work”, the source said.
