What is your take on Buhari’s ministerial list?

This week, President Muhammadu Buhari released his ministerial list of nominees to the senate for screening. The 43-list nominees, however, has generated a lot of reactions from the public and the media. Olasunkanmi Ojo and Oluwayinka Aje sampled the opinions of Nigerians to enquire how they feel about President Buhari’s ministerial list. Their views:

Dorcas Adeyanju
I just feel Nigeria is not moving forward as we keep having the same people that were in the system years ago, without results, still in power. So, what do we expect? Still the same process. They would be appointed again. Their four years would soon be over. So, I do not expect anything different from them because there will not be any.

Godspower Olorunsannu
There is nothing new on that list. It is a waste of time—no surprises, no clue. As for me, it is just recycling old wine in new bottles—former senators and those who are loyal to the party are listed. I do not see any next level as being preached by the party.

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Luke Ishola
They are all bunch of ‘oldies’ (if such a word exists in the dictionary). These are the same set of people that have ruled us and have disappointed millions of people. Imagine Rauf Aregbesola, Gbemisola Saraki and others. These set of ministers are the worst I have ever seen. Fewer professors, fewer youths. All are political appointees, no random or democratic selection. I am so disappointed with that list.

Lanre Oseni
It is too early to correctly assess the newly announced ministerial list. However, few of the old known faces like Fashola and Ogbonoya Onu appear to be better selection. Few new faces like Sunday Dare and Olamilekan had been tested and are excellent. Despite those, selection made remains the same challenge of ‘same old/recycled wine. There are many best brains unselected. We have a long way to go.

Zainab Olaitan
The President’s ministerial list is just a re-enactment of the saying that: ‘Nigeria keeps recycling its leaders’. Majority of the names on the list are ones that have always been in our political scene. Also, it shows how politics influences every facet of government. The ministries were the only chance the president had to allow merit to prevail, but that also yielded mediocrity. Hence, with the caliber of names on the list, Nigeria should not have hope of witnessing any considerable change in the system, especially development. Judging from the track records of those on the list, we can predict what the future would be like.

Bamidele Segun
I call it a ‘blind list’. I cannot mention names but we have so many people with unfinished cases, unanswered questions and failed duties in their baskets, yet they are on the list. Buhari-led administration should have looked outside its cabinet or caucus to pick, rather than all these blind men walking. And, right now, the whole anti-corruption campaign looks like a lie all along—I mean after prosecuting most of the opposition and making it look like the APC members were clean. Now, take a look at how the whole directive of unreliable and unchanged wolves could possibly rule appropriately without thinking of enriching their own pockets.

Daniel Akpan
President Buhari has a knack for including ex-governors in his cabinet. He had previously included Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi in his first-term cabinet. But the most important question is: Would these people deliver? Godswill Akpabio and Rauf Aregbesola made the list, but where is the assurance that they would deliver? Were they selected on party-based reasons or because of what they could do as ministers? Only time will tell. The list seems to encourage women in politics as no fewer than five women were nominated. The name on the list that seems to give me reason for concern is Festus Keyamo, who headed strategic communications during Buhari’s re-election bid. Although their portfolios are yet to be decided, Keyamo’s inclusion remains foggy to me.

Adeleke Ifeoluwa
Buhari’s ministerial list is a round peg in a square hole. The list includes twenty-nine new names with some of the most notable being Rauf Aregbesola, George Akume and Mrs Gbemi Saraki. The purpose of the president submitting the list to the senate is for effective vetting of the ministerial nominees. Therefore, the lack of additional documents on their previous work experience and qualifications defeats the purpose of the vetting. How is the senate supposed to ensure that each nominee brought forward has enough knowledge about the issues they would be put in charge of? Worst case scenario, we could have ministers that are ill fitted for the jobs they would be given.