The All Progressives Governors Forum, on Tuesday, said that they have not discussed the issue of the ministerial lists with President Muhammadu Buhari. The Governors stated this after a closed door meeting with President Buhari at the State House.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu said the matter of a cabinet for Buhari’s second term was purely the President’s decision, adding that he should appoint whosoever he wished.
He disclosed that the meeting was to congratulate the President on the party’s victory at the National Assembly election of presiding officers and to thank the President on the various interventions to state governments. He listed some of the interventions to include the Paris Club refunds, the budget support fund which is in form of loan and the refund for money expended by states on federal roads.
“No. It is an executive decision. The President reserves the right to make such appointment. We did not discuss ministerial list. This morning (yesterday), Mr. President graciously granted audience to progressive Governors forum. We came to congratulate him on the National Assembly elections and thank him for the confidence he had on the progressive Governors forum members who participated actively in all the processes that led to the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan, as Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as Speaker (House of Representatives) and Hon. Ahmed Wase as Deputy Speaker.
“Furthermore, we used the opportunity to thank Mr. President in all he has been doing and all the successes recorded in the areas which he campaigned upon and by extension our party which are security, economy and accountability.
“We are quite happy with his support for states where close to N2 trillion was given to states in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on federal roads, refund for Paris Club, which has helped encourage economic activities in the states, payment of salaries, payment of pensions, payment of gratuities and overall investment by infrastructural spending.
“We are also appreciative of increased investment in agriculture which has been because of conscious decision to support agriculture as a way out of economic challenges and provide economic growth.
“We also congratulate Mr. President that despite drop in incomes, the value for money that he insists upon has begun to pay off in terms of more security across the country even though some challenges still remain, he is working hard on that with sincerity. “Last and not the least, we offer to work with Mr. President continuously to ensure that we increase economic performance, security of our country and social cohesion.”
