Buhari sheds light on the sacking of two ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Nanono and his Power counterpart, Saleh Mamman, were removed to reinvigorate his cabinet and consolidate legacy achievements.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted the president as saying that the ministers were sacked because their contributions to the administration were either considered weak or meant to close gaps.

“These significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps,” he added.

Buhari also noted that the ministers were sacked after an independent and critical self-review of their performance.

Nothing was revealed about the outcome of their assessments.

After relieving the ministers of their jobs, Buhari redeployed Mohammad Abubakar, Minister of Environment, to the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, while Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of State, Works & Housing was asked to assume office as the Minister of Power.

Giving what can be called a foresight to the development, Buhari said: “On Wednesday 21st August, 2019 the current Federal Executive Council was sworn-in after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from my first term in Office and to emphasise the nine priority areas of government for the second term.

“Two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review has taken firm roots through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats.

“I must commend this cabinet for demonstrating unparalleled resilience that helped the government to navigate the disruption to global systems and governance occasioned by the emergence of COVID-19 shortly after inauguration. The weekly Federal Executive Council meetings was not spared because the traditional mode was altered.

“As we are all aware, change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavour and as this administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, I have found it essential to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.”

“I have personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation.

“Today, effectively marks their last participation in the Federal Executive Council deliberations and I wish them the best in all future endeavours,” he said.