ONUMBA.COM, USA – Way to go Mr. President.
Since Muhammadu Buhari took over as Nigeria’s new president, speculations have been beyond rife in Abuja and across the country about folks being considered for cabinet jobs.
The heightened anticipation has given rise to all sorts of premature assumptions being fueled by an inpatient and pushy media, with some even moving forward with decision to publish their own list of cabinet members. Perhaps, they do that to sell their newspapers and magazines.
Of course, it is common knowledge in a hopelessly corrupt Nigeria that being named to the cabinet is the quickest route to being stinkingly wealthy. But here is the fact: The Buhari administration, according to administration officials, has not made a decision regarding cabinet member picks. It appears the new president is taking his sweet time. And he should. For one thing, he campaigned on the promise of ending corruption and perhaps because of that, he is moving very cautiously as this holds the key to whether or not he succeeds in his avowed mission to unleash a crippling blow to the menacing culture of graft.
So far, the new president has picked 15 special presidential advisers and submitted their names to the national assembly for approval. Ministerial picks? He will get there.
Here is how the new president reacted to the several cabinet rosters being circulated everywhere.
“They have picked my ministers for me! Have I even told you who I want?”
Apparently, he hasn’t. But one thing we do know is that the president is pretty close to deciding his pick for the oil portfolio, otherwise known as the ATM. Guess who Buhari is thinking would get that plum job: Buhari.
Oh Yeah, according to reliable sources close to the presidency, Buhari is likely to become the man in charge of oil, which is the biggest of source of revenue for the country and the most lucrative job in the Nigerian government for graft swooning officials.
Good for him and for Nigeria. I wouldn’t trust anyone with that job, either.
