The executive arm of government is the first tier in the administration of a Sovereign State, followed by the legislature, the judiciary and the media, popularly referred to as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The executive is charged with the responsibility of formulating policies for the good governance of the State and to prosecute projects that are for the common good of the people. This arm of government is made up of the President, who is at the head, assisted by the Vice President, the Ministers and other appointees.
Nigeria is practicing the Presidential system of government. The role of the Ministers is to preside over the affairs of their various Ministries and look after Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDA’s). Consequently, their roles cannot be over-emphasised in the political, social and economic development of the nation. Although, Ministers report directly to the President, who presides over the Federal Executive Council (FEC), but they are being monitored by the legislative arm, especially in the area of over-sight functions.
Let us recall that President Buhari did not submit his Ministerial list to the Senate until about six months into his first term in office in 2015. He was sworn in on May 29 that year and presented his nominees to the Senate on October 30. The Senate deliberated and returned the list to him in November. This received condemnation from home and abroad. There were those who felt that Buhari was moving too slowly to form his cabinet. That and other delayed action caused him the sobriquet, ‘Papa Go Slow’. Even the screening of the Ministers was like the proverbial passing of a horse through the needle’s eyes. Indeed, he had to represent some of the Ministers after they were initially rejected by the House.
Concerns have been expressed at several quarters as to whether President Buhari on his second coming now would delay the appointments of Ministers and key positions in the executive arm. Today, the question on the lips of most Nigerians is when will the President present his Ministerial list?
Governance is a very complex endeavour. So many factors are considered before decisions are taken. It is important to look at some of these factors. The Ministers’ roles as contained in the Ministers’ statutory powers and duties {Miscellaneous Provisions} Act are to serve as advisory body to the President of Nigeria. Members report to the President, who can keep or dismiss them at any time.
In his first term in office, President Buhari promised to assemble a small Cabinet that would be active. He said he would look for people, who were competent, dedicated and experienced. That is what right thinking Nigerians expected the President to do even at this time.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Now, the concern of many Nigerians is when will the President appoint new Ministers and for how long do they have to wait before government begins to run as it should be? The question is germane for the over-all interest and development of the nation. In an interview with Sahara Reporters, an Online Publication, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina had assured Nigerians that the President would not delay in appointing Ministers for his second term. Adesina had also assured the nation of seamless transition because the ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in control of the National Assembly. On whether the President would retain some of the former Ministers, Femi Adesina, said they had served with diligence and commitment. That must be a lesson in dodging a difficult question.
It is hoped that the President would consolidate on his modest achievements so far during his second term and do more in the area of security, power, corruption and the economy. Nigerians do not expect anything less. However, he cannot handle these complex matters alone. He needs able lieutenants to assist him on daily basis to tackle them head on.
This is the second and last leg of President Buhari in office. Time is of the essence and so he cannot keep the country waiting again over raising his cabinet. It is even in his own interest to act timely so as not to jeopardize the goodwill that he now enjoys in good measure.
*Christopher Afolabi, Journalist, Commentator on Public Affairs writes from Lagos
0803 674 6943 e-mail: chrisfolabi@gmail.com
By Christopher Afolabi
The executive arm of government is the first tier in the administration of a Sovereign State, followed by the legislature, the judiciary and the media, popularly referred to as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The executive is charged with the responsibility of formulating policies for the good governance of the State and to prosecute projects that are for the common good of the people. This arm of government is made up of the President, who is at the head, assisted by the Vice President, the Ministers and other appointees.
Nigeria is practicing the Presidential system of government. The role of the Ministers is to preside over the affairs of their various Ministries and look after Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDA’s). Consequently, their roles cannot be over-emphasised in the political, social and economic development of the nation. Although, Ministers report directly to the President, who presides over the Federal Executive Council (FEC), but they are being monitored by the legislative arm, especially in the area of over-sight functions.
Let us recall that President Buhari did not submit his Ministerial list to the Senate until about six months into his first term in office in 2015. He was sworn in on May 29 that year and presented his nominees to the Senate on October 30. The Senate deliberated and returned the list to him in November. This received condemnation from home and abroad. There were those who felt that Buhari was moving too slowly to form his cabinet. That and other delayed action caused him the sobriquet, ‘Papa Go Slow’. Even the screening of the Ministers was like the proverbial passing of a horse through the needle’s eyes. Indeed, he had to represent some of the Ministers after they were initially rejected by the House.
Concerns have been expressed at several quarters as to whether President Buhari on his second coming now would delay the appointments of Ministers and key positions in the executive arm. Today, the question on the lips of most Nigerians is when will the President present his Ministerial list?
Governance is a very complex endeavour. So many factors are considered before decisions are taken. It is important to look at some of these factors. The Ministers’ roles as contained in the Ministers’ statutory powers and duties {Miscellaneous Provisions} Act are to serve as advisory body to the President of Nigeria. Members report to the President, who can keep or dismiss them at any time.
In his first term in office, President Buhari promised to assemble a small Cabinet that would be active. He said he would look for people, who were competent, dedicated and experienced. That is what right thinking Nigerians expected the President to do even at this time.
Now, the concern of many Nigerians is when will the President appoint new Ministers and for how long do they have to wait before government begins to run as it should be? The question is germane for the over-all interest and development of the nation. In an interview with Sahara Reporters, an Online Publication, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina had assured Nigerians that the President would not delay in appointing Ministers for his second term. Adesina had also assured the nation of seamless transition because the ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in control of the National Assembly. On whether the President would retain some of the former Ministers, Femi Adesina, said they had served with diligence and commitment. That must be a lesson in dodging a difficult question.
It is hoped that the President would consolidate on his modest achievements so far during his second term and do more in the area of security, power, corruption and the economy. Nigerians do not expect anything less. However, he cannot handle these complex matters alone. He needs able lieutenants to assist him on daily basis to tackle them head on.
This is the second and last leg of President Buhari in office. Time is of the essence and so he cannot keep the country waiting again over raising his cabinet. It is even in his own interest to act timely so as not to jeopardize the goodwill that he now enjoys in good measure.
*Christopher Afolabi, Journalist, Commentator on Public Affairs writes from Lagos 0803 674 6943 e-mail: chrisfolabi@gmail.com