The screening of the ministerial nominees was the first official engagement between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President Bukola Saraki and there are subtle indications that the matured way the Senate President went about the screening gladdened the heart of the President.
According to an insider in the Presidency, President Buhari was happy with the professional and matured manner in which Saraki conducted the screening of the ministerial nominees.
The Presidency official said that by the way Saraki conducted the screening he has proved to the nation that he was committed to ensuring the success of the Buhari administration, which is anchored on change and transparency.
The source said that it was clear that Saraki meant well for the administration and had no hidden intention.
“I want to say that he ( Saraki) has amply acquitted himself and proved clearly that he is on the same page with Mr. President by the unbiased and transparent way he carried out the screening of the ministers.
“I can assure you that Mr. President is equally impressed with the conduct of the Senate President and the quality of issues raised with the nominees during the hearing,” the officials said in an interview with Vanguard.
Asked to confirm if the Presidency interfered with the screening thereby reducing the initial tough stance of the Senators against the nominees, the source said that there was no effort whatsoever on the part of the president to influence the action of the lawmakers.
However, it was gathered that in his bid to quell the ‘bad blood’ between himself and the Presidency, Senator Saraki took it upon himself to ensure the screening went smoothly with any opposition as well so as not to give the impression that he was against Buhari and his anti-corruption drive
It will be recalled that the major opposition, People’s Democratic Party had threatened to stop the screening processes if the President does not send the full ministerial list.
The screening exercise continues today.