Nigerians anxiously await Buhari’s new cabinet to avoid another recession
To limit the chances of experiencing another economic and social shock that influenced President Muhammadu Buhari’s first six months in his first term due to lateness in appointing cabinet members, analysts have called for early constitution of the cabinet.
It would be recalled that his inability to name ministers in 2015 after swearing, had serious link with the economic recession suffered by the Nigerian economy in early 2016. Besides, security experts also traced the surging rise in urban criminality and insurgency to the same factor.
The key argument was that due to the delay, before the ministers could get familiar with their sectors, much strategic grounds have been lost, thus leading to recession and current multi-faceted nature of insurgency and other organised killings hobbling the country till date.
Checks amongst other newly sworn in Presidents in Africa showed early constitution of their cabinets. For example, in Liberia, the new President, Mr George Opong Weah, was quick to announce his ministers even in his inaugural speech.
Only recently, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced his cabinet just four days after his inauguration.
One remarkable feature in South Africa was that Ramaphosa’s cabinet has a gender balanced structure as the Cabinet is 50% women, for the first time in the history of the country and Africa by extension.
Just as many activists have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to follow suit by avoiding any unnecessary delay in the announcement of his new cabinet and making effort to ensure gender parity, Business Hilights recalls that last October, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame had also announced a gender-balanced cabinet of 50% women.
However, political analysts say even if President Buhari announces his new ministers within four days of his inauguration, it may not work because the ninth Senate that will screen them are yet to be inaugurated.
Recall that the current eighth National Assembly has slated its valedictory seating on sixth of June while the new lawmakers are billed to be inaugurated three days later being ninth of June.
A cross-session of opinion leaders have advised Mr President not to make the mistake of recalling any of the former ministers as he gets ready to form his government any time from now.
