Nigerians were relieved when the ministerial list was submitted, this brought about Nigerians long awaited expectations to rest, whereas Mr. President regained his popularity and trust.

Impressively, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Mr. Ita Enang cut his US trip short, to deliver the list at the tip of the deadline, as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reading the list on the floor of the house was suspended for 55th Nigeria independence day ceremony. The suspension was read by Nigerians as saboteurs to democracy, however, National Assembly reassured, the list will be read immediately after the holiday and reiterated it was not their fault because the list came in almost late. In fact, the envelope was sealed at the time of senate official announcement.

Surprisingly, names of ministers were somehow leaked and made known to the general public. Again, because of the published names popularity and old school politicians’ inclusion, Nigerians wondered and pondered why Mr. President took so long to compile close associates’ names from United States, and why was the lists not delivered in an undisclosed manner, that the list will not be leaked.  Whatever, Ministerial lists, disclosed or undisclosed was not any longer a surprise. However, there was a redirection of energies while agitations, sentiments and allegations kicked in.

Nigerians got heated up, by some senators’ inflammatory statements, enumerating new screening rules, which are not prescribed in the constitution. It was perceived that the National Assembly was trying to take revenge for ongoing allegations, political discriminations, etc. As such, the air was beclouded with confusions and outpour of annoyance, instead of the National Assembly professing way forward into screening methods.

After various groups and stakeholders’ consultations, to maintain status quo; shortly came a relieving announcement.  Ministerial Screening is going to be business as usual; as prescribed in the constitution. Could this be as a result of Buhari and Tinubu’s meet and speak with National Assembly and Senator Saraki individually.  If so, possibly stakeholders are learning from their costly mistakes, beginning to exploit party opportunities and harnessing common grounds to fast forward Nigeria. 

All ears are on the ground; So Far - So Good - Ministerial Screening; unknown, if money is exchanging hands, as practiced in the past.  Ministers and political appointees’ wet grounds before being screened and or promised high-priced contracts. Leading to our backwardness today, detrimental to tax payers and electorates.

Lessons to be learned from these styles or precedence drawbacks, witnessed in Nigerian politics today, entails as follows, any President or Governor should consider forwarding their list of ministers and commissioners respectively, soon as sworn into office.  Thus, emulate developed countries and America (the oldest democratic nation in the world) act promptly at assumption of office, get appointees approved accordingly. This will bring a wholesome of trust in administrative settings, consequently carry electorates along: ascribes to trust, teamwork and partnership. All these adds up to moving a struggling nation ahead.  

As such, the National Assembly must also buckle up, catch up with the taste of time, learn from the on goings and compliment the executives, whether, state or federal.  Doing these in a timely manner, will make Nigeria a better place by 2019. 

Francis John

APC USA International Secretariat

+1.816.359.8527

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