“The concern of Nigerians over the delay in the release of ministerial appointments is genuine. But the fact is that this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that the opposition party will take over government from the ruling party,” the APC spokesperson said.
President Muhammadu Buhari is to release his list of ministers soon, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed, said on Thursday.
Speaking with journalists in Oro, Kwara State, Mr. Mohammed, who commended Nigerians for their patience and perseverance, however admitted that the Buhari administration would have fared better if there were ministers in place.
The president has come under criticisms for failing to name his cabinet more than one month after he assumed office.
Mr. Mohammed attributed the delay by the president largely on the transfer of power from one party to another.
According to him, when transition in government took place within the Peoples Democratic Party, the cabinet was formed two weeks after inauguration.
“The concern of Nigerians over the delay in the release of ministerial appointments is genuine. But the fact is that this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that the opposition party will take over government from the ruling party,” the APC spokesperson said.
“Our plan was to interface and interact with the outgoing government, but it didn’t just work out so the party set up transition committee which later presented 800 pages of handover documents to Mr. President”
“So, in this kind of situation we found ourselves, we have to be thorough in making appointments because Nigerians’ expectations are very high and it’s understandable.”
He said the ministerial cabinet list would soon be made available and that the issue would be a thing of the past.
Stating that the APC government might be slow, Mr. Mohammed however said, “In reality when we make the right appointments, we will make up for all the shortcomings Nigerians have been complaining about”.
He condemned the opposition PDP for criticising Mr. Buhari’s performance saying, “the PDP is just revelling in its new found role of opposition, they are entertaining themselves and Nigerians.”
PREMIUM TIMES had on June 25 reported how the delay by the President in making key appointments was taking a serious toll on government businesses.
Although he was elected about three months ago and should have long decided on key appointees, he has repeatedly claimed he is bidding his time to avoid making mistakes.
However, his delay in filling important government positions, especially the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is now hurting the smooth running of government businesses, top officials say.
PREMIUM TIMES checks revealed that the day to day operations of the different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have been weakened, while coordination of important government policies and programmes has become a mess.
“The country can ill-afford further delay by the President to make these vital appointments,” a federal permanent secretary said on Wednesday. “From the presidency to the ministries, departments and agencies, everything has come to virtual standstill.”