ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, dismissed insinuations of his plans to defer the formation of a cabinet, as he insisted that his ministerial nominees would be unveiled this
month.
Speaking in Aburi, Ghana, the President also
reassured Nigerians and the international
community that the Boko Haram insurgency was
being brought to its knees with the confinement of
the insurgents to Sambisa Forest.
The President spoke at a joint press conference
with his host, President John Dramani Mahama of
Ghana, who also disclosed that both countries had
worked out strategies to jointly stem corruption.
Responding to a question on his delayed formation of a federal cabinet, Buhari said: “After I was swornin, I said I will have my cabinet in September.
I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions
after September 30 if I do not do so.”
The delay in the appointment of ministers had
raised dust across Nigeria. Buhari’s 100 days after
inauguration is the longest period since the advent
of the Fourth Republic that a President has
operated without a cabinet.
In the interim, the President has been receiving
briefings on the state of the
Ministries,
Departments and Agencies, (MDAs).
Answering a question on the security situation in
the country, the President said that the Nigerian
military, in close collaboration with the Multi-
National Joint Task Force, has recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office.
“The first thing I did after I came into office was to
reorganize the military and clear orders were given
to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and
redeployment of troops.
“In the North-East, the military is gaining ground
and Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa
fo rest.
“Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,” President Buhari said.
The President also told newsmen that the
declaration of assets as he did was a constitutional requirement for all public office holders in Nigeria.
According to him, he has declared his assets four
times since his first time as a military governor in1975.
“I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Muhammed
became the Head of State, we were lined up —
governors, ministers, and members of the Supreme Military Council. Officials of the Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.
“All Heads of State, governors, ministers,
permanent secretaries have to declare their assets
because it is a constitutional requirement.
“I have declared my assets four times. When I was
governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister
of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I have also declared.”
Earlier, President Mahama said both leaders had
fruitful discussions on how to enhance bilateral
relations and improve regiona
l security.
He also said that Nigeria and Ghana will soon
begin the process of reviving their joint
commission for cooperation.
The Ghanaian President added that both leaders
also agreed to encourage closer cooperation
between the intelligence and anti-graft agencies of
both countries.
He thanked President Buhari for his visit and
assured him of Ghana’s support and cooperation
with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
We appreciate you for reading StrollBlogger, but we think it will be better you like our facebook fanpage and also follow us on twitter below.