Tag Archives: Cabinet

Donald Trump wraps up cabinet search, no new picks

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US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday wrapped up a busy weekend of meetings with cabinet hopefuls at his golf club retreat outside New York, hinting new appointments should come soon.

 

The Republican billionaire-turned-world leader signaled he is seriously considering retired Marine Corps general James “Mad Dog” Mattis to be his Pentagon chief, heaping praise on him.

 

When asked before dinner at his Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey if he would soon reveal new nominations, Trump told reporters: “Pretty true,” confirming he had “made a couple of deals.”

 

But Trump made the 90-minute drive back to Manhattan late Sunday after two days in Bedminster, and no new picks were revealed.

 

Beyond Mattis, the top names on the guest list Sunday were Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was recently ousted as the leader of Trump’s transition team, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and immigration hardliner Kris Kobach.

The president-elect was clearly seeking to sound out people from a wide range of backgrounds, from party stalwarts to business moguls and former rivals.

 

Some of Trump’s choices for other key posts so far — attorney general, national security adviser and chief White House strategist — have come under fire on civil rights grounds from Democrats and other critics.

 

But he has also moved to mend fences with moderate Republicans as he goes about building a new administration before his January 20 inauguration.

 

On Saturday, he interviewed one-time foe Mitt Romney — the 2012 Republican presidential candidate who called him a “fraud” during the recent campaign — for the secretary of state position reportedly coveted by Giuliani.

Trump Weighs Cabinet Picks & ‘Amended’ Obamacare

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Donald Trump is to huddle Saturday with his White House transition team for a second day over cabinet picks as the president-elect says he is open to keeping parts of President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

The billionaire real estate mogul said in interviews that he would consider an “amended” version of the 2010 law, a shift in position after vowing on the campaign trail to repeal the measure.

The announcement was one of several surprises, as Trump shook up his transition team by putting running mate Mike Pence in charge and named a cohort of Washington insiders — and three of his children — to help with the process of choosing a new cabinet.

The reshuffle came as anti-Trump protesters spilled onto the streets for a third straight night, with the Republican facing mounting calls to reassure Americans who fear a xenophobic crackdown under his authority.

Throngs of people — among them families and children — rallied late Friday in New York’s Washington Square carrying banners reading “Peace and Love” and “Your wall can’t stand in our way.” Local media estimated a turnout of some 4,000 protesters.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Miami, with weekend protests planned in at least half a dozen cities.

A focal point for New York protests is Trump Tower, where the real estate tycoon-turned-world-leader has been ensconced in his luxury apartment, mapping out his next steps.

The 70-year-old incoming president has a mammoth task of fleshing out his cabinet, as well as steering the complex transition of power, and announced on Friday he was elevating Vice President-elect Pence to lead the process.

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http://guardian.ng/news/trump-weighs-cabinet-picks-and-amended-obamacare/

CBN Concerned About Growth As Nation Awaits Cabinet

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will retain foreign currency controls because of concerns about slowing growth, a senior bank official said on Wednesday as the nation awaited a new cabinet.

President Muhammadu Buhari submitted the list of his nominees for cabinet posts to the Senate for approval on Wednesday, but the names were not immediately made public.

Foreign investors had criticized Buhari for failing to appoint ministers since he took office on May 29, leaving the central bank to deal alone with a hammering of the oil-dependent economy.

Buhari will address the nation on Thursday, the presidency said, without giving details.

According to Reuters, since his inauguration, a fall in vital oil revenues has eroded public finances, weakening the national currency and driving up the cost of food imports.

Growth was 2.35 per cent in the second quarter year on year, compared with 6.54 in the same quarter of 2014.

“We are concerned that we are having declining growth,” the central bank’s monetary policy director, Moses Tule, told reporters.

Read More: thisdaylive

I Will Name My Cabinet This Month, Buhari Tells Ghana’s President

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President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Aburi, Ghana reassured Nigerians and the international community that he will name his cabinet before the end of the month.

President Buhari gave the assurance at a joint press conference with President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.

“After I was sworn-in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” President Buhari said while responding to a question on the appointment of ministers.

President Buhari also told reporters that the Nigerian military, in close collaboration with the Multi-
National Joint Task Force, has recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office as President.

“The first thing I did after I came into office was to reorganize the military and clear orders were given to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and redeployment of troops.

“In the northeast, the military is gaining ground and Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa forest.

“Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,” President Buhari said.

On the declaration of assets, the President affirmed that it was a constitutional requirement that all public office holders in Nigeria should declare their assets before and after their term in office.

“I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State, we were lined up – governors, ministers, members of the Supreme Military Council. Officials of Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.

“All Heads of States and Government, governors, ministers, permanent secretaries have to declare their assets because it is a constitutional requirement.

“I have declared my assets four times. When I was governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I have also declared.

Earlier, President Mahama said both leaders had fruitful discussions on how to enhance bilateral relations and improve regional security.

President Mahama said that Nigeria and Ghana will soon begin the process of reviving their joint commission for cooperation.

The Ghanaian President added that both leaders also agreed to encourage closer cooperation between the intelligence and anti-graft agencies of both countries.

He thanked President Buhari for his visit and assured him of Ghana’s support and cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

President Buhari To Present Ministerial List To National Assembly Next Week

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Baring any last minute changes, President Buhari is expected to present his ministerial list to the National Assembly members for screening and consideration next week. The ministerial list is expected to be made up of only technocrats who he believes will be very productive in whatever capacity they are to function in.

Names like ex Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, Oby Ezekwesili, Kayode Fayemi, former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Abdurrhaman Dambazau amongst others are rumored to be in the list.

There are also reports that the President will be picking his Ministers from all 36 states which is against his wish as he is reported to have wanted a smaller number of Ministers for cost effectiveness.
The constitution however dictates that all states must be represented in the Federal cabinet.

Amosun Dissolves Cabinet

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Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Monday dissolved the State Executive Council. Amosun’s action is coming barely four days to the expiration of his first-term in office.

Those affected in the dissolution include the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Special Advisers, Consultants and the Personal Assistants.

Addressing the last executive council meeting inside the council chamber in Oke Mosan, Amosun directed the appointees to hand over to the most senior civil servants in their respective ministries, department and agencies.

Read More: PremiumTimes

Buhari’s Cabinet: Meritocracy Or Clientelism? By Jude Feranmi

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Fellow countrymen, I still love to think that congratulations on Nigeria’s budding democracy are still in order as regards the last democratic exercise in March and April. So, once again, Congratulations! In some other epochal situation, the peace we enjoy today will be a thing of hope. The gospel of change that has seen enough converts to unsit the incumbent President is a testament to our budding democracy. Today, we are all better for it.

Now, a lot of campaign promises have come and gone and it’s time to start hoping that those campaign promises were not as empty as Dokubo’s threats before elections. But, to sit back, relax and hope is the least we should be doing now. Our duty as occupants of the office of the citizen of the federal republic of Nigeria is to demand that the kind of life that we deserve should be given us. Nothing more, nothing less! More so, to be vigilant so as to be able to identify the decisions that will make or mar our demands directly or indirectly.

We are at a critical juncture in the Presidency of Muhammandu Buhari, which we all want to be a successful one. Though, it is yet to begin officially, a lot of decisions that will make/mar the Presidency are in full gear. One of these decisions which interests me as an occupant of the office of the citizen which I believe should also interest every well-meaning Nigerian is the structure and the content of the cabinet of the incoming Presidency. You see, when we elected Muhammadu Buhari, the APC flag bearer, we also elected prima-facie all the people who will occupy the roles of ministers, special advisers, director-generals, permanent secretaries amongst others. These people make up the civil service. In a nutshell, these people run the country’s business. They are the determinants of the level of success that we will achieve in the next four years and how the Presidency performs. Actually, when we lament the problems of leadership in our country, what we are lamenting is the problems of finding the right people to occupy these offices. We have usually elected Presidents who end up filling up these offices with politicians instead of technocrats or at instances where technocrats have been appointed, they have been incapacitated by politics. The clause of the constitution which ensures that each state produces a minister makes it worse. It is such that the state governor has a stake on who becomes minister from that state or the party leader. What we end up with is a conflation of people who are being paid for a favor or two they have done for the governor or the party leader in their state, they are usually characterized of people who know next to nothing when it comes to the offices they are gifted : Clientelism – that stage of political development where democracy is run by exchanging political favors in exchange for political support. I need not define Meritocracy.

TO THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT

All prosperous nations have something in common. A quality government bureaucracy made up of experts in their chosen fields, not politicians who know next to nothing about a field they preside over. Countries like Singapore and Germany are what they are today because of the caliber of people who run their governments. Coming back home a little, Akinwumi Adesina and Omobola Johnson were icons in the Jonathan Presidency despite all efforts by the President to ensure that the Presidency failed, though subconsciously, those ministries stood out and were talking points in the President’s campaign. Success

is largely a function of the caliber of the people who surround you. The more experts you have , the easier it will become to achieve the vision of a better Nigeria. It is high time we had the best of our people running government. The time for politics is over Mr President-Elect, The time of Governance is here and making the mistake of putting a round peg (politicians) in a square hole (technocrat) will mar your Presidency. You have promised to deliver a better Nigeria, politicians can’t deliver a better Nigeria, only technocrats can. I can promise you sir, those nominated will be demanded of responsibilities of their offices, be they politicians or technocrats and a failure to rise up to those responsibilities will not be permissible.

TO FELLOW COUNTRYMEN

It is not time to sit back and watch the campaign promises become reality, it is time to be more vigilant. The life we get is the life we deserve. The kind of life we demand is the kind of life we get. If we sit back and relax, waiting and hoping, suffering and smiling or wailing and praying, the only change we will end up with is that which we have gotten, a change in the people occupying the positions. Nothing more Nothing less! A better Nigeria is possible and achievable, only if we demand it.

God bless the Federal Republic Of Nigeria

Jude Feranmi @JUDED27

VIEW EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY AUTHOR’S…

Jonathan Dissolves Cabinet Tomorrow- Report

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According to Daily Trust, President Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow dissolve his cabinet, barring last minute change of plan.

A presidency source told our correspondent yesterday that the president would dissolve the cabinet after a valedictory session scheduled to hold inside the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Wednesday morning.

The source also confirmed that the Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting would be the last in the life of the administration of President Jonathan.

He said the president would use the opportunity to thank his cabinet members and request prayers for the country. The valedictory council session, prayers would also be offered for the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
Jonathan, who lost the March 28 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, is scheduled to hand over the affairs of the country to Buhari on May 29.

A member of Jonathan’s kitchen cabinet told our correspondent yesterday that all the ministers had received letters from the president since Friday thanking them for serving their father land.

The minister, who is from the South-West said the president emphasised in the letters that the Wednesday’s council meeting would be the last to be held under his stewardship.

He further disclosed that in compliance to a directive from Jonathan, all ministers were expected to hand over the affairs of their ministries to their respective permanent secretaries by Thursday.

The minister, who pleaded not to be mentioned, added that there would also be send-off ceremonies for ministers also on Thursday.  He said: “I can confirm to you that this Wednesday will mark the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to be presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. That is when Mr President will dissolve the cabinet.

“This is not catching us unawares. All of us have been duly informed. Mr President has sent letters to all of us who are his ministers. Mr President thanked us for having served the country meritoriously well together with him within the last few years.”

The Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, had told State House journalists after the April 15 FEC meeting that the last council meeting under Jonathan would hold on May 20 (tomorrow).

“…The last one (FEC meeting) that will be the valedictory one, on May 20”, the information minister had said then.
Ahead of the May 29 transition programme, the president had on April 15 also directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to submit their handover briefs to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on or before April 20.

Read More: dailytrust

How APC Members Allegedly Pay To Join Buhari’s Cabinet

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The deafening sounds of “Sai Baba” and “Change” have died down, the infectious and wild celebrations and boastful commentaries on how “change” finally came no longer enjoy prime place on street corners as reality is beginning to set in.

Reality as to the enormity of work that awaits the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of General Muhammadu Buhari and reality as to the fact that campaigning and winning election may not be the same as forming the government and appointing a credible and workable cabinet that will help in bringing about the promised change.

As Nigerians count days and look forward to the May 29 inauguration of General Muhammadu Buhari as the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with measured optimism, the APC, from all indications, is faced with the herculean task of coming up with a formidable and credible cabinet that will give Nigerians hope of a better future. This task can as well be termed the party’s second litmus test.

Read More: dailypost

 

Why My Cabinet Will Be Small- Buhari

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Interview Excerpts…

There has been an influx of defectors from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to your party, APC, since after your victory at the polls. Many think the development may destabilise the APC. How do you intend to manage the situation?

I think this is a question meant for the party. I wish John Oyegun was here to answer you because we have a system. Just because I am the presidential candidate and the president-elect, I don’t think  the system has allowed me to usurp the power of the party executives. But, certainly, in a multi-party democratic system, fundamentally, it is the number that matters for the people. But for the party, what matters is the ability to manage the number so that the majority will have its way and  there will be justice. No matter what happens to the PDP by May 29, I assure you or I assure them through you that there will be justice in the APC.

A new government, which you will head, will soon be inaugurated. Can you tell us what criteria you will be using in selecting those who you will work with?

It is a difficult time for Nigerians as you all know. I have said it in the past that, in the last 16 years, Nigeria has never realised the amount of revenue it received. The price of a barrel of crude oil rose to about 140 dollars and then  crashed to about 50 dollars. During the 16 years, we know what happened to some big companies that employ a lot of Nigerians and give them training facilities like the Nigeria Airways, Nigeria  National Shipping Line.

Even Nigeria Railway is managing to be on paper with some refurbished engines moving from Lagos to Ibadan and a few other places. If you go to their stations all over the country, you will realise that they are in a terrible shape. The important thing in a country with a huge population  of youths with more than 60 percent of them under the age of 30 who are unemployed is that you  need these institutions to give jobs and training to them. It is very disappointing that the PDP government virtually failed to use those resources to  grow the economy.

I think the worst thing is the lack of accountability and the terrible budgetary system. Imagine that over 90 percent of Nigerian budget is on recurrent. How can you sustain development in a country like Nigeria with only about 10 percent of your income? Things just have to change. There must be more money available for infrastructure, for investment in getting the factories back, employment and getting goods and services for the population. I think the sins of PDP will be coming out for several years to come.

Do  we expect a government of national unity?

Again, you want me to encroach on the party’s main power. Even if I, as president-elect, want to form a broad based government, I think that the executive of the party will have some influence on that decision. So, for me to maintain a good rapport with the leadership of the party, I want to keep your question in abeyance until further notice.

The 2015 elections did not go without pockets of violence here and there. Does that strike you in any way?

I think there are less disruptions in the second leg of the general elections on April 11 than we had  during the presidential and National Assembly elections. I hope it was as a result of the bandwagon effect because APC had the upper hand during the  first leg of elections. But what happened in the South-South and the South-East cannot be compared to what happened on April 11.

What I saw was that there was a few ballot snatching in some local government areas of Bayelsa State and a few disruptions in Adamawa, but that is nothing near what happened on March 28. I don’t think what happened on 11 is up to 25 percent of what happened  on March 28?  I think that after the elections, both parties, APC and PDP, will perhaps make their representations to INEC or the courts and then more details will emerge. Maybe we had less infractions on April 11 because the turnout was much lower. Maybe the people just wanted a president and once they got one, they just walked away. They are Nigerians and there is nothing we can do, but to convince them that they have to use this weapon which is the permanent voter cards (PVCs)

Read More: vanguardngr

Buhari’s Cabinet Emerges A Week After May 29

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Names of Ministers who will serve under the new administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari would be unveiled within one week after the administration is inaugurated on May 29. The cabinet is likely to be a lean one.

Buhari, who stated this while unveiling his economic policies at a Lagos Business School breakfast meeting on Tuesday, noted that he would cut down the number of ministers to be appointed. He maintained that individuals with any whiff of corruption or any kind of taint will not be in the cabinet.

Represented by former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayem, Buhari stated that there would be very little action from his administration until October, partly due to the fact that  President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration prepared the currently existing 2015 budget.

Read More: DailyPost