The broken pieces of the jig-saw puzzle of President Muhammadu Buhari’s election promises on the economy began to fall in place yesteday, as the president finally sent an A-4 size envelope containing the names of his annointed men and women who will help him shape and run the crucial structures of state economy to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at 5.00 pm.
The list however came after the Senate had finished deliberations and broken in an adjournment for the Independence celebrations, until Tuesday next week.
Buhari had fought the elections on a three-pronged frontal attack of addressing corruption, insecurity and the economy. But since his inauguration on May 29, the president has concentrated on security and corruption, leaving the economy without any clear direction.
Some analysts said yesterday, that the delay game and the fact that the names are coming in batches is an indication that the country has a long way to go in the policy direction and implementation by the government.
But Buhari in his Independence Anniversary broadcast today, justified the long wait, saying he needed time to come up with the best and most credible Nigerians.
“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for change is all about,” Buhari said.
Bolade Agbola, executive director Cashcraft Asset Management limited, says, “Three of the key basis on which Nigerians voted for President Buhari are security, corruption and the economy. Both security and corruption seem to be having some traction but nothing is apparently happening on the economy, except some monetary policy initiatives that have not addressed the dwindling inflow of foreign exchange.
“Its like the economic crisis is being addressed on one leg.There is need for complimentary fiscal policies to address our peculiar economic situation and that will be the main task of the ministers, especially that of Finance and other complimentary portfolios that have to work together to retool the economy in the light of the new realistic price of crude oil which is a major determinant of of our economic well being,”
The list was presented to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki by President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, accompanied by Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang.
While Saraki left his office immediately after he received the list, declining further comments, his Special Adviser (Media), Yusuph Olaniyonu, also refused to disclose the nominees, insisting that it would be officially read by his principal on the floor of the hallowed chamber on Tuesday, October 6, 2015.
“The list is sealed and will remain sealed till Tuesday”, he said.
Earlier in the day at the National Assembly, senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to submit the much awaited ministerial list.
Speaking at plenary, Senate Minority Leader and former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, said the media was awash with lists of the ministerial nominees but the upper chamber was yet to get one.
He therefore asked the Senate President to openly disclose to Nigerians whether the list had been sent to him by President Buhari or if Saraki was concealing it from Nigerians.
He was however countered by the Acting Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who rose in defence of President Buhari, saying although he promised to submit the list by September, it was premature to condemn the President because September 30th which is the last day of September would only end by 12:00 midnight.
He argued that the doors of the Senate were open till that time.
According to the procedure, the President writes a covering letter to the Senate President and attaches with it, the list of the nominees. Upon receipt of the communication, the Senate President reads the letter and the list to the hearing of senators in plenary.
After reading the letter, the Senate arranges a suitable day for screening and confirmation.
In his ruling, the Senate President had turned down efforts to influence the upper chamber into condemning the ‘failure’ by President Buhari to submit the list of his ministerial nominees as promised.
“I am sure the Minority Leader is well satisfied with your explanation. So, I have to graciously rule my Minority Leader out of order”, he said.
In an interview with journalists immediately after plenary, Senate spokesperson, Dino Melaye called for calm, saying the Senate was still expecting the ministerial list and would communicate receipt of the list once it arrived.
Melaye said there was no need for agitation by Nigerians, adding that Senate would begin consideration of all communications from President Buhari from next week.
In a separate chat with reporters at the submission of the report of the PDP Post-Election Review Committee in Abuja on Wednesday, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Committee, said at the adjournment of plenary by 1:05pm, the upper chamber was yet to receive the list, expressing hope that the President would fulfil his promise.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE & Mabel Dimma
