President Muhammadu Buhari says some of the ministerial nominees will end up “sitting” in federal executive council sessions rather emerging substantive ministers.
In an interactive session with journalists in New Delhi, capital of India, on Friday, Buhari lamented state of the economy, saying: “The government is broke”.
“There used to be 42 ministers but we will be lucky if we can have half of that now, others may not be substantive ministers but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot work outside the constitution.
“Where is the money? Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The federal government had to assist 27 out of the 36 states to pay salaries… The country was materially vandalized and morally sucked.”
Buhari commended India for setting aside a grant of $10 billion for African countries, adding that the assistance will go a long way in helping to shape the continent.
He said he had been able to facilitate some deals that will end up benefitting the country by alleviating unemployment and serving as a boost the economy.