What Nigerians think of Buhari’s ministerial list

This week, President Muhammadu Buhari released the long-awaited ministerial list. Daily Trust Saturday asked some Nigerians what they think of those selected. Ere Forcebry, 63, retired Civil Servant, Bayelsa State It is one of the best team ever formed by the federal government if they are finally screened by the Senate and sworn in. With […]

This week, President Muhammadu Buhari released the long-awaited ministerial list. Daily Trust Saturday asked some Nigerians what they think of those selected.

Ere Forcebry, 63, retired Civil Servant, Bayelsa State

It is one of the best team ever formed by the federal government if they are finally screened by the Senate and sworn in. With the dropping of some people who served in the former cabinet, it means that Mr. President might have learnt his lesson and knows those who slowed down his government during its first term. This team will help him translate his developmental policies in their various ministries, especially with people like Akpabio and Sylva who performed well during their tenures as governors of their respective states. But my plea is that anybody he will delegate the responsibility of manning the Ministry of Labour should be able to facilitate the implementation of the new minimum wage and settle backlogs of pensions and gratuities.

Lewis Dudafa, 38, Businessman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

The announcement of the list at the floor of the senate is a welcome development. At least when the cabinet is constituted, it will help the government work faster. Nigerians have been expecting the ministerial appointment for a long time after the president’s swearing in on May 29, 2019, but we are happy that he didn’t take very long, like in 2015, to constitute his cabinet. I pray that the team will be able to work and move this country forward.
We have seen technocrats in the team, politicians, legal expert, experienced leaders in their various rights are all there. I pray for the wisdom of God for them to deliver. It is too early to assess them but Nigerians are watching, after their screening and swearing in we will know what they have to offer for the growth of the nation.

Talatu Moses, Businesswoman, Jos

What I am after is good governance and a government devoid of corruption. I don’t care about the region or the state a particular minister comes from. They would be appointed not to work for their state or regions but for Nigeria as a whole. We would follow them with keen interest in order to measure their competence or otherwise. But also, as a woman I would have loved to see more women in the cabinet. Women are resilient and hard working in all their endeavours and I know they would do well if given a shot.

Peter Azi, Public Affairs Commentator, Jos

I received the news of the submission of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees to the National Assembly with excitement. The nomination came very late as far as Nigerians are concerned. Our expectations was that the next level project would bring rapid development and dividends of democracy.

The list has only seven women, which makes 16 per cent of the list, and less than half of 35 per cent affirmative action. There are seven former governors and none of the nominees is less than 35 years old. I think I would be right to say it is a gathering of elders who are being compensated for their loyalty to their party, the APC. Youths are totally excluded from the administration.

At this critical time, we need technocrats and energetic cabinet members who would implement the programmes of the president. The economy, security, education, power, health, and agriculture are critical sectors that need urgent attention. A law should be enacted for the president to submit names of the ministerial nominees with their proposed portfolios so as to enable the senators to ask the nominees questions based on that.

Haruna Yusuf Abba was the youngest candidate that contested for the seat of the Plateau State House of Assembly and vied to represent Jos North/North constituency under the platform of Democratic Alternative (DA). We had expected something totally different and unique as some of us were under the impression that the president has learnt from the past and would make amends. So, the ministerial list fell short of expectation and signifies that there is no hope for the common man and the next generation. It has endorsed and entrenched boardroom politics. Most of the names are individuals we have tested and who have failed woefully. Most of them are just political job seekers with no idea or innovations to better the life of the common man. We expected a list that would bring better results and that is development oriented.

Aniekan David, 23, Businesswoman, Bayelsa State

Right from 1999, when we started this democratic experience, we have been seeing this sort of appointment, but it is too early to celebrate them. Let them start work, then we will know what they have to offer this country.

At the moment, Nigeria is facing myriad of challenges in the economy, security, educational sector and many other areas. Nigerians will need those appointed into various ministries to work and solve these problems for the good of the people. The ministerial list is okay. There are former governors, but it doesn’t mean that somebody who did well as a state governor would also do well as a minister. It is not automatic, they are different positions with different approaches. Nigerians are very expectant and I believe with God on our side, those expectations will be met.

A’isha Kabir Muhammad, Teacher and Women Activist, Jos

I was shocked and sad when I saw the list of ministers nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari. Youths were ignored despite constituting 60% of Nigeria’s population, and women were also ill-represented despite making up 49% of Nigeria’s population. I was sad when I saw the name of former Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylva who was prosecuted on N19 billion corruption case and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio who was also accused of corruption. Buhari shouldn’t have nominated them, their nomination casts doubt on the credibility of Buhari’s fight against corruption.