All Progressives Congress has expressed confidence in the members of the federal Executive Council, saying they were competent. The submission followed a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the portfolios inspired no change. A statement by the National Secretary of the party, Mallam Mai Mala Buni berated the opposition party, saying it couldn’t have assigned portfolios to thugs and miscreants. He said:
“The argument of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) that the portfolios inspired no change was warped and a product of defeat hangover. The PDP should face its rebranding pursuit instead of running down a performing government. APC is not a party which will assign portfolios to miscreants, thugs and mistresses as rampant during the misrule period of PDP.
“The task of rebuilding Nigeria is a responsibility of every citizen. Rather than sit on the fence to find faults, the opposition should join hands with the President to re-fix the nation. President Buhari has what it takes to lead; he is imbued with vision to redirect Nigeria to prosperity but he needs the cooperation of all citizens and groups.”
The party said it had faith in the Ministers to deliver on the promises of the APC government. According to Buni, the screening and confirmation of the Ministers by the Senate and their inauguration by President Mohammadu Buhari on Wednesday marked th beginning of journey to economic recovery, meaningful democracy, and moral revolution in the country. He also assured that President Buhari led government would take Nigerians to the promised land. He said:
“The All Progressives Congress(APC) congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari for the inauguration of the new cabinet to effect the desired change which the nation overwhelmingly voted for in March. The choice of the ministers and their clearance without any reservations by the Senate attested to the leadership ingenuity of the President. We are happy that every member of the Federal Executive Council is tested and trusted.
“The meticulous assigning of portfolios on Wednesday was also a signal to Nigerians that their electoral investment in our great party and President Buhari was not a waste. We endorse all the portfolios, we have absolute faith in the new ministers and we know that the final hour of redemption is here.
“The party notes that the President’s management of the portfolios has strengthened the nation’s unity, promoted excellence, provided hope for Nigeria’s rebirth and prepared the nation for the future.
“The journey to economic recovery, meaningful democracy, and moral revolution in our great country has started. For the umpteenth time, APC assures Nigerians of its desire to take them to the Promised Land. The APC government will not fail the nation, Buhari will keep his words and salvage Nigeria for the benefit of all.”
Buni noted that the Ministers showed commitment to service by assuming office immediately after oath-taking. He also charged them to live upto the expectations of Nigerians.
“The unprecedented assumption of duty by the ministers, barely some hours after oath-taking, underscored the determination of the APC administration to offer a qualitative and faster service to the nation.
“APC appeals to the ministers to abide by their oath of office, render selfless service, live up to expectations and write their names in gold. This is a winning team, none of them must fail.
We implore Nigerians, including the increasingly impatient opposition parties, to give the cabinet a breathing space and support it to deliver the dividends of democracy”, he said. Buni recalled that the economy has been turned around in the last 5 months of Buhari’s administration, stressing that APC would always support the government to fulfil its promises to Nigerians.
“Under five months, President Buhari has saved the country from brinkmanship, plugged loopholes, placed premium on prudence and set a new template for probity and accountability.
“In line with the manifestoes of this party, the President has clearly defined his socio-economic policies. With a little more patience, Nigerians will soon have cause to smile. On its part, the APC will continue to support and assist our great President to accomplish his mission”, he said.