seeking approval to appoint 15 Special Advisers.
This came as indications emerged, yesterday, that the President is
likely to head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the emerging
cabinet, rather than trust anyone else with the source of most of
Nigeria’s Nigeria’s revenue, his associates said.
Buhari, in the letter which was his first to the Senate after his
inauguration, explained that the request was in line with Section 151
(2-3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The letter, which was signed by Buhari and addressed to the Senate
President, David Mark and read at the plenary, explained that the 15
Special Advisers would help him carry out his constitutional roles as
the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
The letter stated: “Pursuant to the provision of Section 151 (1) of
the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as
amended) which confers on me to appoint Special Advisers to
assist me in the performance of my functions.
“I write to request for your kind consideration and approval of the
distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic to
appoint Fifteen (15) Advisers as prescribed in Section 151 (2-3) of
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
Senate congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo
Meanwhile, the Senate has congratulated President Buhari and the
Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for their inauguration, saying
the Red Chamber will identify with their administration for the
interest of the citizenry.
Commenting on the motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor
Ndoma-Egba and co-sponsored by other Senators, Senate President
Mark also commended Nigerians for accepting the outcome of the
general elections that ushered new leadership.
Mark said: “If the followers didn’t accept (the results of the
elections) the story would have been different today. For the first
time in the history of this country, we discovered that the
Presidential election is not before any tribunal.
“I think that is a milestone in our democratic process and we must
acknowledge that it is a mark of statesmanship and a
demonstration of the acceptance of the will of the people because
election is not done by just one individual, election is done by all of
us who are members of the various constituencies.
“It is not just enough to congratulate President Buhari, I think we
should also congratulate the former president, Dr Goodluck
Jonathan, who willingly conceded defeat and followed the
announcement with a telephone call to President Buhari and also
appealed to his members to accept that as the verdict from the
people.
“But sometimes the followers go overboard either out of excitement
or whatever reasons. I also ran into a group of hooligans when I
was coming to the stadium and they damaged my windscreen.
“That certainly was not an act that was approved by anybody. I
think with time we will improve and learn to understand that power
can move from one political party to the other.”
On some of the Senators that have emerged as governors in their
various states, Senator Mark said that instead of looking at the
development as progress, in his view it was even going backward.
Backward movement
According to him, “For our colleagues who have gone to become
governor, my position is different. I think going from the Senate to
becoming a governor is not a movement forward but a movement
backward.
“Well, if you decide to move backward to sacrifice to work for your
people, then we should also congratulate them. But I think from the
Senate we should look upwards, but in spite of that, some of our
colleagues have gone to the states to assist in bringing
development to their states, so I congratulate them also.”
Senator Ita Enang said that the change in leadership from a ruling
party to the opposition party was an indication that democracy has
been consolidated in the country and that the people have
confidence in the legislature.
Buhari to head Ministry of Petroleum
Meanwhile, according to one of Buhari’s long-standing associates
who spoke on condition of anomymity, Nigeria’s oil sector is so dirty
that nobody’s hands are clean enough to do the “surgical changes”
needed. Another political associate said: “He will do it. It would be
stupid to give that position to anyone else.”
According to the first source, Buhari has still not settled on his
cabinet and has laughed off media speculation about figures he will
appoint. Joking with friends as he read out a newspaper article that
mentioned possible names: “They have picked my ministers for me.
Have I even told you who I want?”
“It’s going to be a lean government, I doubt he’ll have 42 ministries
like Jonathan but he must have at least 36 (for the number of
states) as prescribed by the constitution, though it does not specify
whether they have to be senior or junior,” an adviser in the ruling
APC party told Reuters.
The new administration had not yet gone through reports on
Jonathan’s handover notes on policy, the adviser said.
“There is a huge body of proposals being bandied around the
place,” the advisor said, adding that Buhari plans to let the N60
billion a year amnesty programme end in December as scheduled to
save money and it is unclear what he will fund in its place.
He has also made it clear that he wants to revamp Nigeria’s refining
sector, which declined while the country became dependent on
imports for fuel.
“He’s emotionally attached to the refineries because he built some
of them. He wants them to start functioning again,” the APC source
said.
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