Yakassai, who dismissed the list, said it makes mockery of Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade given the nomination of certain individuals perceived by Nigerians to be corrupt.
“The ministerial list submitted by the President to the Senate is representative enough, but the nomination of certain people perceived to be fantastically corrupt made mockery of the President’s war against corruption.
The PDP, on its part, described the ministerial list as uninspiring and does not convey any sense of hope or purposeful governance under the APC.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed disappointment that the list was replete with individuals who failed in their previous ministerial assignments.
“Indeed, such a ministerial list can only come from a leadership that does not have mandate of the people. It is a complete waste of time and cannot fulfill the expectation of Nigerians.
“Furthermore, in recycling failed yesterday’s men for today’s assignment, President Buhari and the APC have left no one in doubt that they have no vision to move our nation out of the economic and security predicaments into which they have plunged us in the last four years,” PDP said.
Some members of the House of Representatives, who also spoke on the list, expressed different opinions.
Former spokesman for the House and member representing Mayo Belwa/Ganye/Jada/Toungo federal constituency of Adamawa State, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, said it was a welcome development, especially with the return of some old ministers who performed well in the first term.
However, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP, Plateau) differed from the submission of his colleagues as, according to him, nothing new will come out of the ministerial list. “I don’t think there will be any positive change. One, there are few women on that cabinet, meaning women are not well represented. Second, there are no youth’s representatives. The younger generation is not given any opportunity. Therefore, we should be ready for old ideas.”
Also toeing the same line, Hon. Mark Gbillah (PDP, Benue) said the general impression is that Nigerians are disappointed seeing former ministers on the list of cabinet by a government that promised next level.
Uduaghan, who congratulated President Buhari for transmitting his ministerial list to the National Assembly in record time, said: “For us in Delta State, Festus Keyamo’s appointment did not come as a surprise to us. Festus has distinguished himself and has shown capacity in his previous post as spokesperson of our Presidential Campaign Council. His appointment is very welcomed to the APC family in Delta State.
“Some of my brother former governors and other nominees that made the cut have something tangible to contribute to the next level programme of Mr. President. I know them and I am sure they can function creditably well with any portfolio given to them at the end of the day.”