By Olanrewaju Ajao President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said he would not have 36 substantive ministers when the Federal Cabinet is inaugurated.
The President said this while receiving the list of the 36 ministers cleared by the Senate from the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Buhari insisted that the nation’s economy is currently in shambles and therefore lacks the capacity to sustain all the ministers in substantive capacity.
He however confirmed that all the ministers would be sitting in cabinet as the constitution stipulates that there must be 36 ministers representing each states of the Federation.
Responding to Saraki, who had in his earlier remarks told the President that he came to formally present the list of minister- designates to him, Buhari said “I thank you the President of the Senate for the work of the Senate leadership in our strive to follow the constitutional provision that states that the President should submit the names of those he wants to form the cabinet.
“If I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36.
“The Senate worked extremely hard and they have passed all the nominees. I think there is some enthusiasm in some parts of the Presidency today that portfolios are to be given to the 36.
“The constitution certainly said there must be one member of the cabinet from all the states but the constitution did not say I must have 36 ministries.
I will explain that details. Because of the economic imperative, to have a lot of ministers, substantive ministers, let me put it that way, whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s new papers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, that we are so much battered. Although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.”
Buhari who faulted the allegation made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he was de-marketing the country insisted on telling the world the true economic situation of the nation.
He said “Any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors.
But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services.
They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe will make them eventually come and help us.”
The Senate President while briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting with Buhari said the Senate never found the screening of the ministers arduous because the nominees satisfied the requirements.
He clarified that the division observed during the clearing exercise was mere politics as such were resolved at closed door sessions with Senators after negotiations.
Commenting on Buhari’s stance on having ministers without portfolio, Saraki said the practice was not new.
He said “Well, I think before you had ministers of state in the past. I don’t think there is anything new; there was minister for special duties which really don’t have portfolio. I think the key issue is being in cabinet; is being part of government and those that would have the responsibilities of ministering are those that at the end of the day would do that.”
He however cautioned that people should stop debating issues considered not germane to the development of the country but should dwell on challenges currently facing the country.
He continued: “Honestly I believe we need to move away from the small issues and begin to focus on the major issues. I think the country presently now is at a very trying time; no doubt about it. We have the challenges of revenue drop, challenges in trying to boost revenue and create jobs and you know we have some of these issues which we really need to address and I think that it is time for us to address them.”
Asked why he chose to personally bring the list of the cleared ministerial nominees to the Villa, Saraki said he came because he wanted to discuss some other important issues of national interest with the President.
