7th October, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for picking those they considered the right individuals as cabinet members in his government.
The 21 names were read out on Tuesday at plenary by Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Deputy Majority Leader and representative of Apapa Constituency 2, Olumuyiwa Jimoh said those alleging that some of the ministerial nominees are corrupt are not sincere, saying that they are mere allegations by political enemies.
According to him, “if you are appointed as the head of your organisation today, people who don’t want you in the office would say one thing or the other against you.
“Have they proven the allegations against these people in a court of competent jurisdiction? Evidences must be proved.
“Who is not competent in the list? Is it Alhaji Lai Mohammed, or former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola or Senator Chris Ngige? They are all qualified. If you have anything against them, come out with the evidence,” he said.
According to Jimoh, the country wants those that can make the necessary changes and lead the country in the right direction. He added that the nominees would give Nigeria the expected change, and that they are the best hands in the country as at now.
The Chief Whip of the House, Rotimi Abiru, said that the appointment of ministers is a prerogative of the President, who, he said, must have looked carefully at the nominees before picking them.
Abiru, who represents Shomolu Constituency 2, said: “some of the nominees have held public offices before now, they have performed in the course of their previous employment. It takes the leadership to give direction.
“Take the case of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for example. When the new Group Managing Director, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, got to office, he didn’t sack the people he met on ground despite the magnitude of corruption there.
“He is working with the folks he met there to make the place better. But because the people there were not getting a good direction from the former leadership of the place, they were complacent in doing their job, but when they saw a leadership with direction, they conformed,” he stated.
He said the inclusion of the likes of former governors Babatunde Raji Fashola, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Chris Ngige and Ogbonnaya Onu on the list did not come as a surprise.
“Despite the allegations against them, these are people that have performed in various capacities before now. The only reservation I have is that of Audu Ogbeh.
“Audu Ogbeh was a minister in 1979, I think he should give way for younger elements, but if that is what the people want, there is no problem.
“However, if any of them is found wanting, he would be shoved aside by the President. I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC); I have firm belief that the President has made the right choice,” he said.
“You would agree with me that the man is a well read and properly groomed media person and he understands what media issues are and he uses it positively for the image of the APC.
“The likes of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi and Kemi Adeosun are young folks, so the list is a mixture of the old and young people.
I wish President Buhari the very best, and I believe that these people would take Nigeria to a higher pedestal,” he stated.
Dayo Saka Fafunmi representing Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency 1, said “Lai Mohammed was always ready to react, when we were in the opposition, a man who was able to match the Peoples Democratic Party word for word when they were in government.
“If such a man is now being called upon to serve, it is just for him to continue his good works. Also, the likes of former governors Kayode Fayemi, Raji Fashola, Senator Chris Ngige, have been tested and trusted.
“The only one that I don’t know so well is Audu Ogbeh, who served in the government of former President Shehu Shagari. I am not in a position to criticise President Buhari.
“If the people of his state believe that he is the best product or the best candidate, so be it. If it is the choice of the party, they can throw up young people with fresh ideas,” he said describing allegations of corruption against some of the nominees as mere allegations that have not been substantiated.
“Their antecedents are with the people. If the people want them, so be it. Leaders are a reflection of the society. If they are wanted by the people they represent, so be it.
“Who says there are no professionals amongst the political class. For example, I have a first degree in engineering, I have another degree in law. There are so many politicians, who have done many courses in different professions, this House of Assembly is full of professionals.
“Any technocrat, who wants to benefit from the system should be ready to sow in the system. The idea of saying the second ministerial list should contain technocrats should be jettisoned.
The first list is made up of politicians who are professionals such as Fayemi, Fashola, Ngige and others, so the second list should contain politicians,” he said.