APC Governors: Buhari free to chose ministers without consulting us

Chidi Samuel|

Governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has given President Muhammadu Buhari the all clear signal to chose his cabinet without their input.

According to the goverors, the composition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet is an executive decision that does not require their involvement.

The APC governors decision was conveyed to newsmen by Atiku Baguda, governor of Kebbi state, at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

“This morning Mr. President graciously granted audience to progressive Governors forum. We came to congratulate him on the national assembly elections and thank him for the confidence he has in the progressive Governors forum members who participated actively in all the processes that led to the emergence of Senator President Ahmad Lawan, Ovie Omo-Agege as deputy senate president, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as speaker, and Hon. Ahmed Wase as deputy speaker,” he said.

“Furthermore, we used the opportunity to thank Mr. President for all he has been doing and all the successes recorded in the areas which he campaigned on, which are security, economy and accountability.

“We are quite happy with his support for states where close to N2 trillion was given to states in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on federal roads, refund for Paris Club, which has helped encouraged economic activities in the states, payment of salaries, payment of pensions, payment of gratuities and overall investment by infrastructural spending.

“We are also appreciative of increased investment in agriculture which has been because of conscious decision to support agriculture as a way out of economic challenges and provide economic growth.

“We also congratulate Mr. President that despite drop in income, the value for money that he insists upon has begun to pay off in terms of more security across the country even though some challenges still remain, he is working hard on that with sincerity.

“Last and not the least, we offer to work with Mr. President continuously to ensure that we increase economic performance, security of our country and social cohesion.

On whether the ministerial list was part of their discussions, Baguda said: “No. It is an executive decision.”