APC members express frustration with Buhari's slow pace at making appointments

APC members express frustration with Buhari's slow pace at making appointments 

Several All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have begun expressing their frustration at the length of time it is taking General Muhammadu Buhari to make appointments since he assumed office about 70 days ago. Since being sworn-in on May 29, Buhari has taken his time to get off the mark, particularly with appointments. 

He is yet to present his list of ministers or ambassadors to the senate and only a handful of appointments have been made with regards to Nigeria's numerous agencies and parastatals. Some party leaders are running out of patience with the president, with one National Working Committee (NWC) pointing out that President Buhari’s policy statements and actions over the last 70 days may look appealing to some Nigerians and a segment of the international community but not to them. 

He added that those who invested their huge financial resources and energy in the campaign that gave President Buhari victory are not happy with him. 

 “Yes, President Buhari and our party want to fight corruption, we want to do things differently from the previous government led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but we must not forget that many well-meaning Nigerians and their friends put their money down for our elections. They want to be appreciated by one way or the other.’’ 

One other NWC from the south-west added: “The president may have good intentions for our country going by his current efforts to reposition our nation but good politics goes beyond fighting corruption. There are other things he can start doing that will benefit our party members and Nigerians as a whole, along with fighting corruption.” 

He added that there was a growing impatience against the APC-led federal government across the country in spite of  Buhari’s efforts to right the wrongs of the past. According to the NWC member, this is a strong indication that Nigerians want to see economic programmes that will directly better their lives along with the fight against corruption. 

“Two governorship elections are coming up in Bayelsa and Kogi States and with the APC controlling the centre, we thought the elections would be a walk-over for us. However, that is not the case, as many of our leaders and their followers are not happy with us. 

 “As the president continues to preach the gospel against corruption, there is mounting fear that those who invested hugely in our last general election might not get anything. For many of us, this is not good politics at all," he added. 

However, APC chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said it was legitimate and common for people to expect appointments and get rewarded with board positions after elections but denied any resentment or growing impatience within the party leadership. He added that the party and President Buhari are unfolding ongoing policies and programmes that would benefit the nation in the long run. 

“There is nothing like resentment within the party leadership and there is nothing like that at all. Yes, people want appointments and other things and those appointments will come in the next one month or so but those complaining are doing so for their selfish interests,” Chief Oyegun added.

-Nigerian Watch