ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. UNCERTAINTY appears to be the name of the game in the camps of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to give clear insights into the composition of his cabinet.
Insiders in the party told the Sunday Tribune that leaders of the party were becoming apprehensive that Buhari was keeping them in the dark about the composition of his cabinet, which is considered the most important assignment of the government for now.
It was gathered that leaders of the party are worried that they are being kept in the dark over the ministerial list, as many of them had resorted to making frantic enquiries from allies who they suspect could be in the know.
But, Buhari, who personally handed over a list of 36 would-be ministers to the Director-General of the State Security Services, Lawan Daura, last week, gave an express order that the list must not leak to the media.
In fact, it was gathered that Daura had personally taken charge of vetting the nominated candidates, leading to close monitoring of his close aides.
Some of those in the know said that the list is “practically in the mouth of the lion” as it was confirmed that a standing order was issued, indicating instant dismissal for the concerned operative who may be found to have leaked the list.
It was, however, gathered that the “hoarding” would not take long as allies and associates of the concerned candidates would get to know once the service start inviting them to take biometrics.
“The authorities at the Yellow House (DSS Headquarters) are actually determined to keep the list close to chest. They have an order from the top to do so. In fact, the big man of the service is holding it close. He only appointed one senior hand and three other trusted aides. They were all warned of the consequences of a leak,” a source said.
According to the source who informed the Sunday Tribune that the list is practically in the “mouth of the lion,” concerned members of the public might have to wait for the process to go through before they could have insights.
Other sources, however, expressed worry for the fate of political leaders whose candidates might fail to make the list, saying: “The leaders are actually in the dark as to the particular candidates chosen by the president. Remember that he took some names from the party and the vice-president also worked on some, especially those from the South-West. But the president took personal charge afterwards and handed over the final list only to the DGSS. The apprehension in the party is huge.”
It was gathered that the composition of the ministerial list as well as that of Ambassadors, which could follow afterwards, would have serious implications for the fate of the APC as a party.
“A number of leaders are worried. If they cannot make people ministers after all the struggle, then, it would be dangerous for their politics going forward,” a source said.
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
