The Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria have called on the President, Bola Tinubu, not to appoint recycled and corrupt politicians into his cabinet.
They said inasmuch as he might be under pressure to appoint former governors who supported him during the electioneering, he should look beyond party affiliation to appoint persons that would help him deliver on his promises.
The Executive Director, CISLAC, Ibrahim Rafsanjani, said, “For Tinubu to succeed, he must not populate his government with outgoing officials who did nothing to improve Nigeria’s public image. He must avoid corrupt people, those who demonstrated cluelessness while in office. He should bring on board men who can do the job and must avoid past governors who were famous for bad governance in their states.”
Also, the National Coordinator, HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated, “Tinubu should not appoint politicians who have cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or those associated with fraudulent businesses or any sort of criminal enterprise. The criminal records of all nominees must be vetted by the appropriate security authorities like the police, Department of State Services, the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.”
He tasked the incoming National Assembly to carry out proper screening when nominees are sent to them, adding that there should be no ministers of state so as to save cost. “As much as possible, he should avoid immediate past governors and ministers looking for a place to hide,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Director of Publicity of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, says the composition of the cabinet is the prerogative of the President and not a party affair, and that if he needs input from the party, he would reach out.
He added, “However, we are concerned about the quality of the people that will be appointed. The APC wants its members to make the list and we will act in line with what our National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, said, that an all-inclusive government with resourceful party members is needed to reposition the country.”
