A Public Affairs Analyst, Ikeogu Oke, wants Nigerians to abandon their prejudices and forge a new country.
He believes the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees is part of the process to build a government that could improve things in the country.
Oke was on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, commenting on the ministerial screening process so far at the Senate.
He said, “What has happened up until now is that some people have tendencies to adopt purely antagonistic posture towards the entire process, which I think is not the best.”
Some Nigerians have expressed disappointment that portfolios were not attached to the nominees to enable the Senate screen them based on the specific tasks they would be handling.
Mr Oke agreed with the view but noted that this would not necessarily enhance the process, considering the fact that the President has the liberty to shuffle his cabinet.
“What really matters is that people at that level of public service should have some flexibility to be able to manage human and material resources with dexterity,” he said.
He added that what should be of importance to Nigerians is how these nominees would perform when they assume office.
Geopolitical Zones
There have been questions about the nomination of few candidates and they have bordered on eligibility by state of origin, marriage and the geopolitical zone they belong.
Mr Oke wondered why such should be raised when the procedure for appointing ministers are clearly stated in the constitution and the rules have not been violated by the President.
“The issue of geopolitical zones, whilst we consider them important and we don’t completely neglect those sensitivities, we should also be sure that we allow the rules as articulated in our laws to be followed,” he said.
He admitted that he also has few reservations about some of the names on the list but there are no basis for accusations when allegations have not been proven against anyone.
He reiterated an earlier stance that reservations are better kept for the sake of enabling the government focus on the tasks ahead of them.
