Debo Adeniran
The Centre for Anti Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on the federal Government to respect the yearnings f Nigerians in the area of equity and social responsibility in governance by effecting the change of some key ministers in his cabinet who are performing below expectations.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, noted that the current predicaments of Nigerians under the present administration was as a result of the underperformance of some key officials in government, noting that a quick fix of the missing gaps would in no small measure, douse some nagging agitations across the country.
Adeniran who accused the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Malami Abubakar as well as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Kemi Adeosun of incompetence, charged government to kick start the lingering agitation for restructuring in the country with a re-order of his cabinet.
According to him, while it would be unfair to place the blame of the lull in the speed of governance solely on the doorsteps of President Mohammadu Buhari, for knowing little about some of the ministers he is currently working with before their engagements, it would amount to self-destruct if the president should keep them in government when their incompetence have come to the open.
“In moving forward, for the umpteenth time we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to make changes in his cabinet to reinvigorate the processes of governance on one hand and delivery of service to the people on the other.
“Glaringly, after about two and a half years since the inauguration of this government, certain patterns have unfolded that has exposed mediocrity and incompetence within the ranks of the cabinet members with regard to their performances in lines of the duties assigned to them.
“We make bold to say that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, superintended over by Mr. Raji Fashola, (SAN), have over the past years made more noise than any practical achievement on the ground to justify the funds that has been ploughed into the three sectors under it.
“All the actions and policies of the Ministry have compounded the sufferings of Nigerians in multi-folds; from lack of power supply to the illogical hike in electricity tariffs, from continually decaying infrastructure to death traps as roads with a Housing sector that is ‘non-existent’ or in absolute comatose,” the group said.
Also taking a swipe at the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar, Adeniran said: “We recommend the immediate replacement of Mr. Malami Abubakar as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of this country to save this government and the country from further embarrassment and criticisms within the comity of nations.
“The mantra of this government and one of the campaign cardinal points of its party is ‘fight against corruption’. For any government to succeed in its policies, programmes and agenda, the commitment, professionalism, soundness and integrity of the Chief Law Officer of that government must be impeccable and consistent. We are afraid, based on recent happenings, the current Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has fallen short of these critical requirements and incapable of delivering any fundamental departure from the corruption ridden past of governance in the country,” Adeniran noted.
He stressed that the allegations of fraudulent practices, tailing the tenure of the incumbent Justice minister smacked of incompetence and a misnomer in a government that prides itself in fighting corruption.
Adeniran accused Adeosun of being everything but impressive, saying she “constantly appears to be confused on policies and in-depth economic management. The economic terrain under her watch is riddled by contradictions, policy somersaults and uncertainties.”
He charged President Buhari to waste no time in looking deep into his cabinet with a view to do a thorough sieving that would produce competent Nigerians who can deliver the goods for the overall benefits of the suffering masses in the country.
