TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says he is pleased that his cabinet has not suffered any major scandal since it was constituted in November 2015.

Buhari, who spoke in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), described it as a major achievement.

When asked about the kind of people he is likely to appoint as ministers in the next four years, Buhari said: ” To begin with, when I addressed this cabinet, I said I am very pleased we didn’t have any major scandal. I think this is a major achievement.

“And anybody who hasn’t got any evidence against any of my ministers, then, people have to trust me which of the ministers I will retain, which ones I will say goodbye and very sincerely to. I don’t go beyond that because I haven’t discussed it with anybody yet.”

One of the major scandals suffered by the cabinet was that of Kemi Adeosun, former minister of finance, who had to resign after it was discovered that the National Youth Service Corp exemption letter she presented was fake.

Babachir Lawal, former secretary general of the federation, was also sacked after a senate committee indicted him on misappropriating funds meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the north-east.

Speaking further, the president said Nigerians should trust his choice of the ministers he will retain, dismiss and appoint.

“I have addressed the cabinet, I said goodbye to them at least for the four years we were to attain by the 2019 start. I still haven’t discussed it with anybody and you will not be the first person I will discuss it with,” he said.

There have been previous calls for the dissolution of the cabinet over allegations of inefficiency but Buhari defended his ministers, saying he did not sack them because of their unique skill, strength and leadership qualities.