NigeriaAt55: Buhari Addresses Ministerial List, 'Change' Issues

In his first Independence Day speech as

Nigeria’s President, President Muhammadu Buhari has

explained to Nigerians why he submitted the

ministerial list late.

In a speech made available to media houses

before the 7am broadcast to commemorate the

country’s 55th Independence anniversary, the

Nigerian president also explained why he sent

an incomplete list to the National Assembly late

yesterday, citing the handing over procedure to

his government by his predecessor, Goodluck

Jonathan, as a major setback.

Buhari, who also acknowledged the anxiety of

Nigerians to see the ministers he will be

working with for the next four years,

disclosed that he could not submit the full list

because he was yet to finish compiling the

nominees for various parastatals, but will

forward the additional names to the National

Assembly in due course.

Nigeria's president, Muhammadu Buhari, may

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, may

have lost confidence in Senate President,

Bukola Saraki

According to Leadership, he said: “Anyway, the

wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial

nominees for confirmation has been sent to the

Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due

course. Impatience is not a virtue.

“Fellow Nigerians, there has been a lot of anxiety

and impatience over the apparent delay in the

announcement of ministers. There is no cause to

be anxious. Our government set out to do things

methodically and properly.

 

“We received the handing over notes from the

outgoing government only four days before taking

over. Consequently, the Joda Transition

Committee submitted its report on the

reorganization of federal government structure

after studying the handover notes.

“It would have been haphazard to announce

ministers when the government had not finalized

the number of ministries to optimally carry the

burden of governance.

“Order is more vital than speed. Careful and

deliberate decisions after consultations get far

better results. And better results for our country

is what the APC government for change is all

about.

“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill

will against anyone on past events. Nobody

should fear anything from me. We are not after

anyone. People should only fear the

consequences of their actions. I hereby invite

everyone, whatever his or her political view, to

join me in working for the nation.”

He also spoke about the desired change

Nigerians have been clamouring for, noting that

it does not happen overnight as Nigerians need

to exercise more patience and also imbibe the

change themselves.

“I would like to end my address this morning on

our agenda for Change. Change does not just

happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate

that we all have our part to play if we want to

bring change about.

 

“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude

to public office and public trust. We must change

our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market

places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and

offices. To bring about change, we must change

ourselves by being law-abiding citizens,” Buhari

said.

On the Independence Day celebration, the

president said October 1 calls for joy and

celebrations for Nigerians despite the

circumstances they find themselves because it

is the day, 55 years ago, we liberated ourselves

from the shackles of colonialism and began our

long march to nationhood and to greatness.

“No temporary problems or passing challenges

should stop us from honoring this day. Let us

remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us.

Our Creator has bequeathed to us numbers –

Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on

the planet.

“This would have enabled us to achieve not only

more orderly political evolution and integration

but also continuity and economic progress.

Countries far less endowed have made greater

economic progress by greater coherence and

unity of purpose.

“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is

an achievement we should all appreciate and try

to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a

change in our democratic development. The fact

that an opposition party replaced an entrenched

government in a free and fair election is indicative

of the deeper roots of our democratic system.

“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank

former President Jonathan for not digging-in in

the face of defeat and thereby saving the country

untold consequences,” President Buhari noted.

Meanwhile, former Rivers, Lagos, Ekiti and

Anambra state governors, Rotimi Amaechi,

Babatunde Fashola, Kayode Fayemi and Chris

Ngige respectively have been rumoured to be

on the president’s list submitted to Saraki

yesterday night.

Naij.com