Ministerial nominees: What the people say
Mama Abdulhafiz (Restaurateur): The delay did not matter at all. All I wish is that the ministers should work as they are expected to do. They should join their hands together and make Nigeria a better country.
Malam Abubakar Atiku: (cleric):
My advice for our senators is that they should not waste any time in screening the ministers to enable them start work with the president immediately. Let me use this opportunity to caution the senators to keep politics aside in performing their constitutional responsibility of screening the ministers.
John Tior (carpenter):
I expected the president to appoint Nigerians below 45 years as ministers, people who understand what we, the young people in the country, are facing. But the majority of people on that list are old people who can only misappropriate and loot the nation's resources.
Hussaini Umar (nurse): The first list of the ministers will calm agitations for fair representation. Although there is nobody from Bauchi, the list was fair. The names of Ogbonnaya Onu and Senator Chris Ngige will reduce the agitations from the people of the South-east who alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had sidelined them in his previous appointments.
Babangida Muhammad (civil servant): I don't know most of the ministerial nominees but knowing what Buhari stands for, the names he forwarded to the Senate for screening must be of credible and competent individuals. The likes of Amina Ibrahim and Amina Alhassan are competent women from their respective states.
Tine Paul (driver): If these were the kind of people President Buhari had wanted to nominate as ministers, I don't think there was any need for procrastination. He should have just appointed them without delay because these are people who have already made name politically.
Salihu Magaji (National Youth Patriotic Forum): The ministerial nominees are people that will show exemplary leadership and this will promote the vision and mission of President Muhammadu Buhari which Nigerians have been yearning for. We are sure that Buhari and vice president Osinbajo are ready to work for Nigerians and they have demonstrated that since their assumption of office. The list of the ministerial nominees proved their worth.
Malam Sanusi Ahmad Dahir (Teacher): The list of the ministerial nominees proved that Mr President will be fair to all.
Usman Gana Hassan (medical student): Most of the people nominated by the president for ministerial appointment have element of corruption in them and may not likely perform as expected by Nigerians. Most of them have held positions in the past and we have heard so much about them. Buhari should have chosen people with better records, people who are free from corruption. Buhari is not corrupt, but if he works with people that are corrupt, that will reduce the confidence people have in him.
Isma’il Garba Tsakuwa (carpenter): The nominees would have no option than to meet the expectations of the president and Nigerians. Buhari has in the last four months clearly highlighted the policy direction of his administration, aimed at changing the economic fortune of the country
and zero tolerance to corruption.
Umameh Ocholi (applicant): I’m disappointed because we expected that the president would appoint 'angels' into his cabinet after such a long delay. There are allegations on the head of some of the proposed ministers and I wonder why the president decided to forward their names for confirmation as members of the federal executive council.
Ken Ogblechi (landlord ): So far, I think the President has done a good thing; the people have been yearning for the list to come out and I think the next thing we want to see is who and who would pass the screening. So, let us wait and see what the Senate will finally give to Nigerians.
Monday Ajoro (commercial driver): I have no issues with Buhari's ministerial nominees because they must have been selected after due security checks and scrutiny by the president. I am confident that the proposed ministers would work with Buhari to bring about the needed change in the country.
Abdullahi Tanko (civil servant): Going by the names, most are good materials-former governors, senators and they know the president, but they should do away with politics and work for the country.
Umar Ya'u (teacher): There is no surprise at all. Most of the nominees are old names that were recycled. However there are some political calculations so as to appease the Igbos who have claimed marginalisation .
Taiwo Olapade (journalist):
I expect the Senate to do a thorough job on this list. It shouldn't be a 'take a bow' affair at the Senate. Nigerians are interested in seeing untainted people as members of the federal cabinet. If there is any petition against any of the nominees, I want to plead to the Senate to investigate such nominee through the EFCC.
Emmanuel Ayantunde: I wonder why President Muhammadu Buhari did not send the whole names, instead of releasing the names in batches.
Mrs Jummai Musa (housewife): The president has nominated confidants he believes could work with him in bringing about change in the country. I want to urge Nigerians to be patient and watch out for the performance of those nominated.
Olayiwola Olaniyonu (human right activist): I am surprised that former governor Fashola made the ministerial list, in spite of the issue of his N78 million invested on personal website, which he admitted. The petition against him was an indictment on his person. There are some allegations against him and his party men are against his becoming a minister from Lagos.
Yusuf Abba (student):
The list was a good one because it has in display politicians and technocrats. I hope they would live up to expectations.
Muhammad Ibrahim Khalifa (civil servant): The ministerial list must be commended because it featured people like former Lagos State governor, Fashola, who is workaholic. But actually, he (president) did not recognise youth. Most of them are household names. It seems there is no much difference with the past.
Muhammed Rabiu (tricyclist): I am happy because the delay was not in vain. He took his time to choose the best for us and we agree with him because he is trustworthy and he is a man of integrity.