Why I Didn’t Reshuffle My Cabinet for Four Years – Buhari
- …..We frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals.
- ….Buhari tells the ministers to hand over their portfolios on May 28.
President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why he didn’t reshuffle his cabinet during his first term.
Buhari, who also said he is not sacking any member of his cabinet told the ministers to hand over their portfolios on May 28, a day to the inauguration of his second term.
The president gave the directive at the valedictory session of his cabinet held in Aso Rock o Wednesday.
The president who recalled that some cabinet ministers with whom he started the journey were not at yesterday’s valedictory session said they should submit their handover notes to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
“Some of our colleagues, with whom we started this journey, unfortunately, are not here to join us in celebrating our successes. Specifically, I must recognise our late brother, James Ocholi SAN who passed away in a fearful motor accident with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua only four months after being sworn in as a minister.”
Speaking on why did not reshuffle the cabinet for four years, he said his administration inherited a broken economy, which eventually went into recession in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2016 which was further compounded by insecurity and massive corruption.
“Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.
”Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals. These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational.
“It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term. Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength. We are a reflection of Nigeria we aspire to achieve.”
Lauding his cabinet members for job well done, the president said that they have performed to the best of their ability.
“You should be proud to have been part of the government that liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.
“You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural agrarian economy.
”You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its worst recession in decades.”
Also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo thanked President Buhari for the opportunity to serve as his deputy and as his running mate twice.
