Ahead of the May 29th second term inauguration of President Muhamamdu Buhari, there are indications that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have begun to mount intense pressure on the President for an early constitution of his cabinet.
This is just as some APC members have also begun intensive lobbying for juicy positions, especially ministerial positions.
Speaking at a Special dinner to celebrate the President’s victory, First Lady, Aisha Buhari, said the party must compensate those who worked hard for her husband’s re-election.
“I want to assure you that everyone who worked for the President’s victory will have their rewards this time around,” she said.
The same position was canvassed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who while praising the tenacity of APC members who persevered against all odds to work for Buhari’s re-election, noted that their perseverance led to the success of the party at the Presidential poll.
A credible source told BDSUNDAY that the President is already facing immense pressures to inaugurate his cabinet early to avoid previous mistakes that almost grounded his administration
It was gathered that since the President traveled to Daura, his home town, to vote in the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, Daura has become a Mecca of sorts for politicians who are lobbying for positions.
Most of the lobbyists are said to be working through the President’s wife, Aisha, who had been championing the course of the “forgotten APC members.”
But some of those who worked for the success of the President’s re-election bid such as the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) have also vowed to ensure that no one is allowed to hijack the administration.
In a telephone interview, a staunch supporter of the President and a leader of the BSO, Gidado Ibrahim said the President must be allowed to choose who to work with, this time around.
According to him, the President has already strongly grounded himself in the affairs of the country and therefore, knows where to direct his attention based on his promises made to Nigerians during his campaigns
“We need credible people. The President has promised to form an inclusive government and he must be allowed to choose the right people to work with,” Ibrahim said.
According to him, “There is also the need to bring up new faces into the system as part of the inclusiveness he has promised and we are ready also this time around, to fight all the hijackers if there are any.”
The President’s first tenure was characterised by lopsided appointments, as well as the challenges of delay in forming his cabinet.
The President also during his first tenure did not have a vibrant economic management team, leaving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a lawyer and politician with the intricate challenges of running the economy.
Ibrahim, while speaking also for card-carrying APC members, said it is proper for the President to reward those who worked for his success.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
