There Will Be Ministers Without Portfolio- Buhari

PMBPresident Muhammed Buhari has insisted that there will be ministers without portfolio. Speaking on Tuesday after Senate President Bukola Saraki submitted the list of confirmed ministers to him, he said that his administration would not have 36 ministries because of the economic downturn. He said the constitution requires him of appointing a member from the 36 states but did not say he must have 36 ministries. He commended the senate leadership for the successful screening saying the exercise was done “within record time”

“If I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36. “The senate worked extremely hard and they have passed all the nominees. I think there is some enthusiasm in some parts of the presidency today that portfolios are to be given to the 36. 

“The constitution certainly says there must be one member of the cabinet from all the states but the constitution did not say I must have 36 ministries.

“Whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s newspapers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, is that we are so much battered, although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.

“Any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors.

“But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services. They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe will make them eventually come and help us. “I thank the senate for doing this hard work technically within record time.”