5 things president told APC chieftains

President Muhammadu Buhari held a meeting with members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

Here are a few things he said.

1. Boards of parastatals yet to be reconstituted

The president is yet to fill several board level vacancies in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He says the delay can be explained.

“Last year I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons,” President Buhari said. “Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start.”

2. There’s now money to usher in new appointees

Nigeria has technically emerged from a recession, price of oil has appreciated in the international market and there's some forex to play with again.

Buhari says board appointments are imminent in light of silver linings in the economy.

“There have been inordinate delays in board appointments through several committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.

“On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced.

“By the grace of God, these appointments will be announced soon, especially now that the economy is improving; we will have the resources to cater for the appointees”, the president said.

3. A cabinet reshuffle is imminent because fresh ideas are badly needed

The federal executive council which is made up of ministers, is about to experience a long awaited reshuffling, Buhari announced.

There’ll be new entrants and maybe some exits.

“By the same token, the compressed federal executive council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at federal level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government,” Buhari said.

APC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi quoted the president as saying the cabinet “will be rejuvenated”.

“You can make of that what you will”, Abdullahi added, tongue in cheek.

4. Buhari lists his administration’s achievements

The president reeled out some of his administration’s achievements during the meeting.

In his words; “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years – Boko Haram, Niger Delta, regular fuel, improved power, TSA, Agriculture, and fertiliser; above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this government. We all know there is change”.

5. The international community now sees Nigeria differently, Buhari says

“Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now creditworthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by four times,” the president announced.

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