Saraki not delaying my cabinet, says Gov. Ahmed

Abdulfatah Ahmed, governor of Kwara state, says Bukola Saraki, president of the Nigerian senate, has nothing to do with the delay in constituting the state executive council.

Abdulfatah blamed the development on the financial challenge that the state is experiencing, refuting reports in some quarters that the crisis in the national assembly is affecting governance in Kwara.

The governor said there was need to adjust programmes and plans in line with economic realities, saying he has notified the state house of assembly of his intention to appoint some aides.

“The governor has re-emphasised that the delayed appointment of commissioners and special advisers was caused by the financial challenges facing the state,” read a statement issued on Tuesday by Muyideen Akorede, senior special assistant on media and communication to the governor.

“Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed can only constitute his cabinet and make other necessary appointments after finalising strategies to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and meet other important obligations promptly.

“Having successfully navigated the state’s finances thus far despite the nationwide economic crisis, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is realigning his administration’s plans and programmes to take cognisance of the financial challenges imposed by the drop in federal allocations to all tiers of government since 2014.

“Adequate financing is critical to the success of any programme, the state government said it is presently concerned with growing its internally generated revenue to augment dwindling federal allocations as a way out of the financial challenges confronting the state.

“In line with provisions of the law, the governor has already initiated the process of constituting the state executive council by seeking the state house of assembly’s approval to appoint ten special advisers, adding that more appointments will be made in due course.”