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.
There is pressure on Buhari to revert to a 42-man cabinet structure as part of his pledge of inclusiveness.
The new structure, according to The Nation, 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.
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.”
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.”
