ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday,
dismissed insinuations of his plans to defer the
formation of a cabinet, as he insisted that his
ministerial nominees would be unveiled this month.
Speaking in Aburi, Ghana, the President also
reassured Nigerians and the international
community that the Boko Haram insurgency was
being brought to its knees with the confinement of
the insurgents to Sambisa Forest.
The President spoke at a joint press conference with his
host, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana,
who also disclosed that both countries had worked
out strategies to jointly stem corruption.
Responding to a question on his delayed formation of
a federal cabinet, Buhari said: "After I was sworn in, I
said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect
that Nigerians should ask me questions after
September 30 if I do not do so."
The delay in the appointment of ministers had raised
dust across Nigeria. Buhari's 100 days after
inauguration is the longest period since the advent of
the Fourth Republic that a President has operated
without a cabinet.
In the interim, the President has been receiving
briefings on the state of the Ministries, Departments
and Agencies, MDAs.
Answering a question on the security situation in the
country, the President said that the Nigerian military,
in close collaboration with the Multi-National Joint
Task Force, has recorded remarkable progress in the
fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office.
"The first thing I did after I came into office was to
reorganize the military and clear orders were given
to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and
redeployment of troops.
"In the North-East, the military is gaining ground and
Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa forest.
"Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving
back home and they are being reintegrated into their
respective communities," President Buhari said.
The President also told newsmen that the declaration
of assets as he did was a constitutional requirement
for all public office holders in Nigeria. According to
him, he has declared his assets four times since his
first time as a military governor in 1975.
"I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Muhammed
became the Head of State, we were lined up —
governors, ministers, and members of the Supreme
Military Council. Officials of the Ministry of Justice
were brought and every individual was made to
declare his assets.
"All Heads of State, governors, ministers, permanent
secretaries have to declare their assets because it is
a constitutional requirement.
"I have declared my assets four times. When I was
governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of
Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military
Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and
now as a President, I have also declared."
Earlier, President Mahama said both leaders had
fruitful discussions on how to enhance bilateral
relations and improve regional security.
He also said that Nigeria and Ghana will soon begin
the process of reviving their joint commission for
cooperation.
The Ghanaian President added that both leaders also
agreed to encourage closer cooperation between the
intelligence and anti-graft agencies of both countries.
He thanked President Buhari for his visit and assured
him of Ghana's support and cooperation with Nigeria
in the fight against terrorism.
AbleMoJah® Nigeria.
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