President Muhammadu Buhari is not happy over the All Progressives Congress (APC) battle for positions in his cabinet.
Vanguard has learnt that at least seven members of party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have indicated interest in different ministerial positions.
Two of them are Engr. Segun Oni, deputy national chairman of the party, and Lai Mohammed, the national publicity secretary.
Nigeria’s leader is expected to send the list of his nominees to the National Assembly this week as both chambers of the federal arm of the power resume plenary on June 23, Tuesday and that he is not that much happy with the APC’s demand to be part of his cabinet.
Insider at the national party secretariat in Abuja who asked not to be named said that Oni who was the ex- governor of Ekiti state was lending on the slot of his state.
The source continued that his chances might be brighter as the present governor of his state, Ayo Fayose who is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not likely to be provided the opportunity of suggesting a minister.
Meanwhile, he expressed fear that Oni might run into trouble with another former governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi who also played a visible role Muhammadu Buhari’s victory.
For Mohammed, his chances were thin as he would have to battle with the Senate President and ex-governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki as well as Kawu Baraje, the ex-leader of the nPDP who led the defection of G5 governors to APC in 2013.
Other APC NWC members said to be lobbying for different ministerial positions comprised the National Vice Chairman (North-east) Engr. David B. Lawal from Adamawa, National Youth Leader, Alhaji Dasuki Jalo from Gombe, National Women Leader, Alhaja Ramatu Tijjani from Kogi state and Emmanuel Eneukwu from Enugu state.
It was gathered that the members last week in a meeting to show their aims to APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun advising him to transmit same to Buhari.
But the insiders noted that the demands did not get the support of Oyegun who frowned at them.
“When the NWC members met with Buhari on the issue of ministerial appointment, though the national chairman refused to tender the request of some NWC members who want to be ministers to President Buhari, the only thing he told him was for his leadership to be carried along in the process.
“But it seems President Buhari knew what was about to happen, he told the party leaders right there not to contemplate becoming part of his cabinet, he told them to stay where they are and build a strong party”, the source said.
However, Garba Shehu, the presidential aide on media and publicity has said that the National Assembly current recess is responsible for the delay in announcement of ministerial list.
It should be also mentioned that Lagos lawyer dragged the president to court and pointed out extreme delay in the formation of Buhari’s cabinet as lone ranger as well as in a dictatorial style.
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