Buhari cabinet: Govs Senators, Reps, lose power to pick nominees

Contrary to what obtained in the last 16 years, state governors appeared to have lost influence to make input into the appointment of ministers.

The governors, especially those elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have found it difficult to penetrate President Muhammadu Buhari to pick their nominees as ministers.

Also, some Senators, who are godfathers in their states, might be unable to install their stooges as ministers.

In deference to the principle of Separation of Powers, there were indications that Buhari may not accept imposition of nominees on him by some leaders of the National Assembly.

But the jostle for ministerial ticket is assuming a hot race in Kwara, Sokoto, Gombe, Enugu, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, and Bauchi,

It was learnt that although some governors had attempted to recommend some nominees, the president is insisting on merit.

The same dilemma is confronting some influential Senators and leaders of the House of Representatives.

According to findings, Buhari is sticking to the principle of separation of powers instead of throwing the ministerial nomination open.

The discipline being employed by the president in choosing his cabinet members accounted for the delay in appointing commissioners in some states.

It was gathered that the governors prefer to compensate their loyalists, who may be schemed out of ministerial slots, as commissioners.

A reliable source said: "Unlike in the past, most governors are stranded this because the president will not ask them to nominate ministers. Some of them attempted to make recommendations but did not succeed.

"In fact, the same game is playing out with influential Senators who have found it difficult to lobby for their candidates as ministerial nominees.

The Nation



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