Buhari on ministerial list: Impatience not a virtue

In response to public criticism on the delay in his appointment of ministers, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that order is more important than speed, as impatience is not a virtue.

He also revealed that he had ordered the total auditing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and some other revenue-generating agencies.

Buhari, who was speaking in his independence day address to the nation, asked Nigerians not to allow current challenges to affect their celebratory mood, assuring them that the country is on a path to greatness.

Highlighting the resources that the country is blessed with, Buhari expressed optimism that it will live to achieve its potentials.

“Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring about change,” he said in his nationwide broadcast.

“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.

“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition: arable land, water, forests, oil and gas, a coastline, and solid minerals.

“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose. Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.

“The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.”

He also commended former president, Goodluck Jonathan, for the role he played in stabilising the country by handing over power after losing the general election.

Buhari also said his anti-corruption war was not targeted at anyone but focused on bringing about radical reforms for development in the country.

“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Goodluck Jonathan for not digging in, in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences,” he said.

“Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation.”

On the delay in forming his cabinet, he said: “Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handover notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over.

“Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganisation of federal government structures after studying the handover notes.

“It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalised the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course.

“Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.”