Buhari to Nigerians: Be patient about Cabinet
President Muhammadu Buhari is asking the Nigerian community to be patient in his four-month search for a government. A list of cabinet members has been submitted to the parliament for approval. However, the president was quick to add that “impatience is not a virtue.”
While a list has been submitted, Buhari did not mention any name or time frame in a televised speech on Thursday. He instead reiterated that careful and deliberate decisions will be made after consultations to achieve better results.
Since assuming office in May, Buhari, a former military ruler, has been criticised by foreign investors and businessmen for taking his time to nominate cabinet members. The urgency is fuelled by the hammering effects of plunging oil prices in Africa’s largest economy.
As part of his anti-graft campaign, Buhari is restructuring the mismanaged oil firm NNPC while at the same time conducting audits of key state institutions like the central bank and custom tax authorities. Buhari’s anti-graft campaign secured him the presidential position last March.
Buharin also did not offer a concrete action plan to tackle economic crisis brought about by increasing oil prices, which have swept public finances and sent the naira currency plunging. This resulted to the delay in payment of public sector salaries. Buhari described the economic dilemma as a challenge that has to be faced squarely through prudent housekeeping in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices.
On Tuesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki will read the cabinet list to the upper house of parliament.
Buhari has been under immense pressure to ease his high standards but has maintained the position that appointing ministers should not be rushed, despite having an almost empty government. He further argued that other world leaders, like U.S. President Barack Obama did the same so as not to sacrifice the country’s efficient function.
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