Renowned law scholar and leader of the Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for delaying the appointment of ministers into his cabinet.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria described Buhari’s refusal to appoint ministers over 80 days after taking office as a reflection of Buhari’s military personality.
He said this was why former President Olusegun Obasanjo (also a former soldier) failed to appoint ministers on time as well.
He stated that the country’s constitution does not allow the President to govern the country for more than two months without ministers.
Nwabueze, in an article titled, “Constitutionality of President Buhari Ruling Nigeria For More Than Two And Half Months Without a Council Of Ministers: The Concerns of the Igbo Leaders Of Thought,” said the President was expected to consult with “various executive bodies” before presidential actions.
According to the professor of law, it is not likely that anyone other than a retired army general and former head of a military government would ever think of ruling the country for more than two and half months without ministers, knowing full well that the governmental system established for the country by the constitution does not permit him to do that.
“And yet, knowing his antecedents and the influence they must have on him, Nigerians elected him as ‘civilian’ President in the March 2015 election. His election cannot but portray Nigerians as incapable of learning from past experience, a people lacking the degree of political maturity and sagacity required for the successful working of constitutional democracy,” Nwabueze added.
The article read in part, “Since his inauguration on May 29, 2015, as elected ‘civilian’ President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, a retired army general and former head of the military government, has been ruling the country for more than two and half months without ministers.
“The President ruling for more than two and half months without ministers is really incredible, but, incredible as it is, we Nigerians, as a people, ought to have foreseen it from our experience of the dictatorial way former President Obasanjo who, like President Buhari, is a retired army general and former head of the military government, rode roughshod over the constitutional limitations on his powers.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Old man do you need a job at your age? So Igbo are still looking for ministerial posts after their ignoble role in GEJ disastrous administration
ReplyDeleteDe' Nwabueze, I have followed you as a child and always liked your stand on national issues, but given the way Nigeria is run with ministers SA's PA'S and connecting chains of domestics staffs given the shape our Economy was meet I think it was right to run the government first with permanent secretaries whom everyone knows are the real brain behind the running of all ministries and the ministers as it were are just mere treasury looters. Let him stabilize the Economy and give it real stability before you introduce the ministers which everyone knows is a constitutional provision to come on board......for the past 2 and half months if ministers were to be on board expenditure would have been so, so huge to upset when so much debt was left behind by the past administration in almost all the state of the federation, how can he give people jobs and appointment when they is no money to pay them.....please sir lets give PMB a chance he means well for Nigeria, criticism is allowed but let it be very constructive factual and with a human face
ReplyDeleteThis man equates forming a good team consisting expexperienced,competent and dedicated technocrats is same as establishing babies factories or smuggling drugs abroad
ReplyDeleteGEJ, a pure civilian only came to improve on corruption, deceit, impunity, failures and insecurity. All this he achieved through the ambit of the law and constitution with ministers and advisers as catalyst. Therefore if the need arise he (PMB) can do away with all this catalyst as inhibitors I believe it will be better for us.
ReplyDeleteDo we really need ministers? The permanent secretaries are working! Me thinks those clamouring for Appointment of ministers are those thatdelights in corruption and wastages.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of the creation of an autocrat is for citizens to label anybody who criticizes his actions as corrupt or unpatriotic. Look back at Hitler and in recent times Mugabe. You can take an opposing view without insinuating that criticising a Head of State's action is borne out of ulterior motives. Soon the HOS would believe he can do no wrong.
DeleteThe question you should ask is whether we need the Nigerian constitution? The issue raised by the respected legal icon is that of constitutionality!
DeleteLet your so called "legal icon" tell where it is stated in the constitution that the president must appoint ministers within two months of being sworn into office.Nwabueze should be ignored.
DeleteThey delay in the appointment of ministers has saved a lot of money the ministers would have spent as salaries and overhead cost for about 3 months. Any person to be appointed as a minister will have a clear cut agenda and focus. Many of those wailing about the delay in appointment of minister are political office seekers, contractors or armchair critics.
ReplyDeletePls guys are u telling me that before now GMB do not have a clear cut agenda of what he intend to do, no vetting of people he intend to use as ministers. In other climes, opposition parties always have what is called shadow ministers for all the sectors or ministries and these ministers formulate alternative policies to that of the govt in power such that if they win election there will be no vacuum. It is obvious that Buhari have not done his home work even before contesting for the presidency. Let's call a spade a spade
ReplyDeletethis writer I am very sure you are not equally reading other people contribution b4 calling your spate a spate.... he did not meet fund to kick start the admiration supposedly, he is trying to stabilize this economy b4 bringing people onboard and you the very last contributor still writing to say he was not prepared to rule, I am likening some of these criticism as total brainwash of 16 years misrule... we no longer see the right from wrong in any context, I fear for my dear con3
DeleteWe were told in Secondary school that " proper preparation prevents poor performance" APC was prepared for election but clearly not prepared to be the ruling party. Coz from where I stand with Osho being the governor, auditor general and finance minister, APC as a party is beyond confused. The earlier they wake up the better for Nigeria if not after 4yrs we will still be where we are now.
ReplyDeleteStupid Nigerians , what is going on over NNPC now there is no minsters ?? Stupid Mr change want to recover all his money back if you guys don't know okay . Is only northern people will do this and noting will happen and no body will talk , who are boko harm ?? why only northers states ?? why did OBJ killed some many people in Niger delta ?? Is only norther crisis will happen since 4 years no body will give order to flush the state as OBJ did in Niger delta and you people will still be talking of one Nigeria ......lets see the change .
ReplyDeleteStupid Nigerians , what is going on over NNPC now there is no minsters ?? Stupid Mr change want to recover all his money back if you guys don't know okay . Is only northern people will do this and noting will happen and no body will talk , who are boko harm ?? why only northers states ?? why did OBJ killed some many people in Niger delta ?? Is only norther crisis will happen since 4 years no body will give order to flush the state as OBJ did in Niger delta and you people will still be talking of one Nigeria ......lets see the change .
ReplyDeleteMinisters or no Ministers, the country is on the move. The functioning of the polity is what matters to the common man.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you..... I can see that you are sincere and different...... I have seen real progress for just 2 months 21 days
DeleteWow good comments especially from the objective Igbo's here. The truth is that there are loopholes in the LAW especially in our Nigerian legal system. corrupt people use these loopholes for their evil acts. I personally believe that human rights and natural justice supersedes the constitution in some cases.
ReplyDeleteThose of you who are insulting this man are bastards, otherwise you should have shown respect for his age & fatherhood. Buhari doesn't even know some of you are existing
ReplyDeleteThose of you who are insulting this man are bastards, otherwise you should have shown respect for his age & fatherhood. Buhari doesn't even know some of you are existing
ReplyDeletebro they should go ahead you don't need to abuse them back just like Buhari would not want to.. but I think his performance would vindicate him and endear him to the harts of Nigerians.. A lot of people are still angry because it is no longer business as usual
DeleteWe are all eye witnesses to what ministers and their ilks in the last regime did, we have not recovered from their loots. Why don't you exercise some patience for this man? Or are you anxious to have your own way too? Slow and steady wins the race.March on Buhari. Long live Nigeria.
ReplyDelete