President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated his position that not all the ministerial nominees screened and confirmed by the Senate will emerge as substantive ministers in his cabinet.
He stated this in the Aso Rock Villa shortly after Senate President Bukola Saraki presented the list of ministers to him.
According to him, he limited the number of his nominees to 36 in line with the constitution.
He commended the senate president and the leadership of the senate for the screening, saying the exercise was done “within record time”.
“If I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36.
“The senate worked extremely hard and they have passed all the nominees. I think there is some enthusiasm in some parts of the presidency today that portfolios are to be given to the 36.
“The constitution certainly says there must be one member of the cabinet from all the states but the constitution did not say I must have 36 ministries.
“Whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s newpapers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, is that we are so much battered, although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.
“Any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors.
“But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services. They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe will make them eventually come and help us.
“I thank the senate for doing this hard work technically within record time.”