President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed he will no longer nominate persons unknown to him as Ministers but only those tested and trusted.
Buhari made this statement on Thursday during a median meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly held at the Banquet Hall, in Presidential Villa Abuja.
Mr. President revealed that he was under intense pressure to constitute the Federal Executive Council (FEC), however, said only those that have pulled their weight in some field of endeavor that will make the list.
Many of those who attended the meeting were anxious to see the proposed Ministerial list so that they can proceed on leave peacefully.
Buhari admitted that most of the cabinet members that made his last administration list were not known to him, but recommended to him. In his statement, I had to accept the names and recommendations from the party and other individuals.
He further stated, “I worked with them for three and half years at least – meeting twice or two weeks in a month. So I know them.
“But, this time around I’m going to be quiet me – me in the sense that I will pick people I personally know,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, he enjoined the lawmakers to partner with the executive arm of government to leave good legacies for the country as his administration was on its last lap.
He advised the National Assembly to shun comparing their parliamentary procedures with that of advanced democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
In a twist, The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting, debunked the media report quoting him as saying that President Buhari would submit the ministerial list to the Senate this week.
He said: “Let me make it clear that. A senator raised a point of order under personal explanation.
“He said we should be sent the list of the ministers by the executive arm of government and in my response, I said the executive is working so hard to ensure that the list of Nigerians that will help this administration work is going to be transmitted and we could even receive it this week. (NAN)
