Nigerians waiting on the fringes to serve as Minister under this administration, may have to wait much longer as President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he may not be able to immediately get strong fresh hands into the cabinet
President Buhari who stated that he will need Ministers with ” strong intellect and courage ” like the outgoing Minister of Solid Minerals Development Kayode Fayemi, cited his commitments to his 2019 reelection project as one of the reasons time may not permit to search for people
This is coming however on the heels of recent pressures by members of the All Progressive Congress ( APC) and new Peoples Democratic Party ( nPDP) members to be nominated as Minister following announcement by the President that he will reshuffle his cabinet
But speaking on Wednesday President said ” it will take me sometimes to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated” adding that ” But we need a very very strong minister, strong in intellect and courage, so as to make sure that both the Nigerian and foreign collaborators of taking away our resources can be checked effectively.
Fayemi, you will recall, recently quit the cabinet to contest the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The valedictory session which preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, provided an opportunity for his former colleagues to appraise his contributions while in office.
President Buhari said he ” reluctantly” released Fayemi to seek gubernatorial election in Ekiti because he ( FAYOMI) still has work to do in Ekiti
Buhari in his assessment, described Fayemi as man of sound intellect whose contributions helped the administration achieve progress, especially in the solid minerals sector.
President Buhari again canvassed for voter education so that people would get the Permanent Voters Card to elect candidates of their choice at all levels.
Buhari said but for technology, especially with the introduction of PVCs and card readers, he would have been rigged out of the 2015 presidential election.
Ministers, in their remarks, unanimously expressed belief that Fayemi was going to rescue Ekiti from the People’s Democratic Party.
The President said he reluctantly allowed Fayemi to go to his state because of his constructive contributions.
“As I sat here, I watched every minister that spoke and about his contributions, this revealed not only intellect but when he is given the necessary time to contribute to important memorandum, he made contributions. Which shows commitment to the progressive of this government and the country.”
Buhari commended Fayemi for turning the solid minerals and steel development Ministry around after it was virtually abandoned for years.
“During the colonial days, they took what they wanted from us – tin, columbite and the rest were the priorities until they struck oil somewhere, it was simply priority of investment shifted offshore.”
“When he went in, he began to deal with both Nigerians and foreigners that are exploiting the lack of commitment of those who are responsible of that sector before he went there”
The President recalled the number of children and women that suffered from the effect of mining in Zamfara State and other parts of the country and urged him to bring Ekiti back for the APC.
The President used the opportunity to call for voters Education so that ordinary Nigerians will believe that Nigeria is beginning to respect them and that their PVC is their status.
“So, we certainly wish you the best of luck but it will take me sometimes to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated.
Fayemi thanked the president for giving him the opportunity to serve and his colleagues, for their support and love.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
