As President Reveals Why He Sacked Ministers Of Power, Agriculture.
President Should Not Use Sacked Ministers To Cover Failures -PDP
…‘Correct Decision But Late’ – Moghalu Reacts
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Nanono and his Power counterpart, Saleh Mamman, were sacked in a bid to reinvigorate his cabinet and consolidate legacy achievements, warning that more shakeup of his cabinet was on the way.
Buhari also hinted that the contributions of the ministers could be considered “weak”.
“These significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps,” he added.
The president said this in his address during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Buhari also noted that the ministers were sacked after an independent and critical self-review of their performance.
Though the president did not reveal the rating of the sacked ministers’ performance, many Nigerians have continuously complained about the poor state of power and high price of food in the country.
After relieving the ministers of their jobs, the former military leader redeployed Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment, to the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, while Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of State, Works & Housing was asked to assume office as the Minister of Power.
Buhari said that the sacking of the ministers was to close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians.
He said, “On Wednesday 21st August, 2019 the current Federal Executive Council was sworn-in after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from my first term in Office and to emphasise the nine priority areas of government for the second term.
“I wish to reiterate once more, that this process shall be continuous.
“Two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review has taken firm roots through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats.
“I must commend this cabinet for demonstrating unparalleled resilience that helped the government to navigate the disruption to global systems and governance occasioned by the emergence of COVID-19 shortly after inauguration. The weekly Federal Executive Council meetings was not spared because the traditional mode was altered.
“As we are all aware, change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavour and as this administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, I have found it essential to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.”
The president explained that the sacked ministers had earlier been informed, adding that vacant positions would be filled in accordance with the constitution.
“In due course, substantive nominations will be made to fill the consequential vacancies in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.
“I have personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation.
“Today, effectively marks their last participation in the Federal Executive Council deliberations and I wish them the best in all future endeavours,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chided president Mohammed Buhari following the announcement of sacked of Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono and his fellow in Power, Saleh Mamman said President should not use the sacked ministers to cover failures of his administration.
According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan said “Our party is also investigating the real reason behind their sack given Mr. President’s public approach to fighting corruption by “easing out” the culprits”
“The party however asserts that the manifest inefficiency of the Buhari administration is a product of President Buhari’s myopic and divisive approach to governance as well as the impunity and corruption deeply embedded in his administration and party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”
“The PDP posits that even if the best hands are recruited, they will be contaminated by incompetence, impunity, disregard to rules, divisiveness and corruption that have become the hallmark of the APC and its administration”
“The party calls on President Buhari and the APC to note that Nigerians are not swayed by the sack of the ministers but are eagerly awaiting the exit of the Buhari Presidency and the APC come May 29, 2023, as there is no hope in sight under their purview”
In the same vein, Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, has reacted to the sack of two ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a series of tweets, the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, accused the Buhari government of weak performance.
He wrote: “After six years of weak performance by his govt, Pre @Mbuhari has reportedly fired two Ministers (Agric &Power) who, presumably in his judgment deserved to go.
“It’s the correct decision but very late in the day. As President of Nigeria, I will ensure accountability from Day 1.
“I will have four key offices in the Presidency: Office of National Strategy, Risk Management Office, Performance Management Office, and Talent Management Office.
“The PMO will measure the performance of political appointees constantly. Sack, early in the day, awaits non-performers.”
