Buhari Reportedly Ignores APC Chieftains, Keeps Choice Of New Ministers To Himself

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly kept the selection of his choices for new ministers for his second term in office to himself.

According to The Nation, some members of the inner power circle popularly known as ‘Cabal’ went to London to meet with the president but were denied access based on strict orders from him.

It was reported that unlike his first term in office, the president has not demanded any ministerial nomination list from either the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the governors elected on the platform of the party.

A top source said: “It seems Buhari has realized that there are some deadwoods in his cabinet which he ought to offload. “He is keeping the choice of new ministers to himself alone.

“His London itinerary was not only kept to himself until the last minutes, he did not allow close associates, strategists and members of his kitchen cabinet to have access to him in London.

“Those who went to London came back empty-handed. “Only an outgoing minister was allowed access to the President. And the minister was still in London as at 7pm today (yesterday).

“We do not know what informed this sudden change of attitude, but it seems the President is really determined to live up to his promise to leave sustainable legacies in his second term by looking for the right people to serve in his cabinet.”

A reliable government source said: “You can crosscheck from the party; Buhari has not asked for any input from APC. “Does he really need it? Are you saying he does not know what to do unlike 2015?

“He did not request for nominations from the APC governors not to talk of receiving any list from them.

“Some governors attempted to gauge his mood but he was noncommittal. He only kept quiet and allowed the governors to do the talking. “Both the party and the governors have also respected themselves by not putting pressure on him.”

A governor said: “The truth is that we have not been asked by the President to make recommendations on ministerial nominees. “We have tried to be careful too because he does not choose our commissioners for us.

“I can say that we are really in the dark like other Nigerians. “Ironically, some of the outgoing ministers run to governors to influence their retention by the President.

“We cannot say whether or not the President will consult us.” Section 147(1-3) directs the President to appoint at least 36 ministers unless the constitution is amended.