Buhari’s new cabinet: Our hopes, by Nigerians

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration for a second term, Nigerians await the composition of his cabinet. What are their hopes and expectations? Daily Trust Saturday finds out. Mr Deme Ayawari, Envangelist, Ovom, Bayelsa State In President Buhari’s next cabinet, I hope to see more of technocrats than politicians, because we need technocrats and professionals in […]

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration for a second term, Nigerians await the composition of his cabinet. What are their hopes and expectations? Daily Trust Saturday finds out.

Mr Deme Ayawari, Envangelist, Ovom, Bayelsa State

In President Buhari’s next cabinet, I hope to see more of technocrats than politicians, because we need technocrats and professionals in the system at this critical time in governance. They will use their experience to drive the policies of the government to succeed. The president should also bring more business experts and entrepreneurs, who have vast knowledge in economy. We need men who will work to boost the economy of this nation. As at today, our economy is being challenged and on the verge of dying. So, it is imperative that the next cabinet should work to improve it. We need those who will work with all arms of government to formulate people-oriented policies aimed at economic growth.

Hitber Ebilayefa Ruth, Businesswoman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

I think President Muhammadu Buhari by now should know the best hands to appoint into his cabinet. Having worked with the former cabinet for the past four years, he knows their weaknesses, strong points and perhaps their successes.

In his second term, he should endeavour to bring in more technocrats than politicians. Women should also be given prominent places in the cabinet. Also, age consideration should form part of the criteria. People above sixty years should not be given attention, rather young and vibrant people should be considered.

Chief Izibesonme Titus, Businessman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

One of the problems of governance in Nigeria is that cabinet members are always appointed and assigned portfolios outside their profession. That is why I hope that President Muhammadu Buhari in his second term will address this abnormality and appoint specialists. This will make them utilize their vast knowledge in discharging their duties optimally. One of the reasons some ministers during Buhari’s first tenure could not perform is because they were assigned portfolios outside their fields of specialization. If this happens in this second term, Nigerians should not expect any miracle from them. In the next cabinet, I expect to see a professional engineer being appointed and assigned a portfolio in the Ministry of Power and Works, and the same thing should be applicable to other ministries, especially, education, health, finance and economy.

Abdulazeez Yakubu Mohammed, 41, Electrical Engineer, Bauchi

There is the need for President Buhari to put young men in his cabinet. They may not necessarily be very young, but experienced people who are in their late 40s or early 50s. The president needs to be up and doing in selecting them this time. His personal relationship with appointees should not be a yardstick for his appointment. His friends and former acquaintances may not be the best for the country. Competence and ability of an individual should be the basis for putting someone in a position of authority. His past cabinet performed below expectations and we wouldn’t want to have a repeat of what happened. Only few of his ministers performed while others only occupied their positions with nothing to show for it. The president must remember that any position he gives is for the development of the country, not for personal gain. To be honest, we expect a better cabinet in his second term. Anything less will not be good for the country and the president will take all the blame. We are not praying for failure, but he needs to do more in assigning responsibilities and ensuring their effective discharge.

Hon. Yague James Koribokiri, Politician, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State

First and foremost, let me commend the outgoing cabinet members because they tried their best for the success of the government. But what I expect from the next crop of ministers is that they would focus more on the economy and agricultural sector. This is because if you talk about empowerment and human capital development, it is possible that when the agricultural sector of the economy is taken care of, the problem of unemployment will be addressed. In terms of the economy, we need an expert, somebody with the requisite experience who will take the right actions aimed at a drastic improvement in the nation’s economy.

Hafsat Adebayo, 32, Journalist, Bauchi

Mr president’s new cabinet should reflect what he means by the ‘Next Level’ slogan which he used in his campaign. For most Nigerians, ‘Next Level’ should be a better level. The ministers on his first cabinet are not the type we expected. There had been so much noise without substance. Some can’t even defend their ministry’s budget, not to talk of its implementation. If the president really wants to give Nigerians a better deal this time, he has to do away with most of his ministers, especially the noise makers and the non-performers. I sometimes pity the president for having some people as ministers who cannot implement his desired goals. Those who were accused of corruption or some controversies should be relieved of their portfolios. We had it very rough in his first tenure. We want him to appoint a cabinet that will work for the country.

Danlami Inuwa Hassan, 45, Politician, Bauchi

There is no reason for low performance, except if the president wants us to continue this way. President Muhammadu Buhari must sack 70 percent of his present cabinet if he wants the country to move forward. Many of them have not performed while some have done reasonably well in their ministries. The position of a minister should not be an avenue for compensating politicians who either lost out in elections or because their Godfather is close to the president. It should go beyond that. I also want to advise that ministers should be submitting reports of their performance quarterly. This will ensure an appraisal that will put them on their toes.

Any minister who fails in two consecutive quarters should be relieved of his position, instead of being left where he will not perform. Buhari’s cabinet in this second term should be a robust, different one entirely, because Nigerians are tired of flimsy excuses. If his ministers perform well, it will be to his credit, if they fail he will be the one to be blamed.

Florence Balakathu, 25, Hair Stylist, Bauchi

The president should have a very vibrant cabinet that will help him fulfil his promises and meet the yearnings of average Nigerians. There were many outcries of non-performance. This is a minus. The blame is partly on the ministers because they are the ones appointed by the president to perform most of the tasks for the administration. The president’s second term is critical, so his appointments must be based on competence. I would also want him to give more positions to women because they are excellent performers and less corrupt. Women have been left behind in his administration. Thank God he has an outspoken wife who sometimes criticises his policies. If not for the fact that Aisha Buhari is his wife, she would make a very good minister of women affairs.