President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the Federal Executive Council will be expanded just as he apologised for the delay in reconstituting boards of parastatals.
Speaking on Tuesday at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, the President gave the clearest indication yet that a cabinet rejig is in the offing.
Buhari, who cited the economic downturn as one of the reasons for a compact cabinet, said that with the country’s exit from recession, more appointments can now be made.
He said, “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.
Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start. But there have been inordinate delays 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.
“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, who also said the party can be proud of its achievements in two years, highlighted these to be: “Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.
“Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now credit –worthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by 4 times. Nevertheless, we are not resting on our achievements. I am quite aware of the challenges before us.”