The makeup of Buhari cabinet has continuously given the large populace the avenue to claim his administration lacks any tangible evidence to prove his capability to the citizens as the yardstick to measure his administration performance since his tenure started in 2015 and this can be attributed to the lack of technocrats in his administration.
The 2019 ministerial nomination list has again shown the lack of belief by the Buhari government in technocrats, who are highly believed to know everything about something, into key ministerial positions.
Since Democracy, Nigeria has had the highest number of technocrats in power in the second tenure of Obasanjo than any other President’s tenure during the democracy era. The appointment of technocrats such Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, etc, made some remarkable difference in the political and economic landscape of Nigeria with these people in key positions.
The presence of the likes of Okonjo-Iweala in Jonathan administration in 2011 was also important to balance the appointment of ministers in key positions.
President Buhari first tenure was highly criticised for having very few technocrats like Okechukwu Enelamah, Ibe Kachikwu in ministerial positions. The new nomination for his 2nd term ministerial list seems to have rid all technocrats that were ministers from the 1st term, as out of the 14 ministers who were reappointed, none of the technocrats was re-appointed also the first time appointees also seem to be filled with only politicians and no technocrats to bring professional experience and expertise to the implementation and formulation of policies towards improving Nigeria.
It raises several questions such are technocrats no longer needed to solve the issues facing Nigeria? Are Nigeria technocrats inadequate or poorly equipped to provide solutions to the problems in Nigeria begging for answers? Are politicians the answers to the questions begging for answers in Nigeria?
By Osarieme Omorogieva