One Month After Buhari Dissolved His cabinet, All Aids Still Illegally Working For Him

By Uche Mbah

More than three weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari dissolved his cabinet preparatory for the May 29 swearing ceremonies, all the aids working for him are still occupying their offices and dishing out orders, this Magazine has learnt.

There has not been any announcement of their reappointment.

Apart from Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina, his media aids,who are still making statements openly for the government, others are said to still act in their former capacities.

Again, he is yet to submit the ministerial list to the Senate, though sources say he is hamstrung by internal bickering within the All Progressives Congress party, both at the Natonal and state levels. This is particularly so because he is allegedly insisting that it is only APC members that will be appointed Ministers.

The senate is currently on recess.

Few Lawyers talked to by this Magazine insist that if they are still acting, it adds to a shopping list of constitutional breaches linked to the present government.

“What is difficult in reappointing an Aid you need? At least they do not need Senate approval to be appointed.Now all their activities are null and void”, a Lawyer told this Magazine recently. He said acts by these people within the period they are acting without legal authorization is legally null, and could easily be challenged in court.

Buhari, who took six months to appoint Ministers during his first month, had promised that this time around, he will move faster. But facts on ground say otherwise.

But opposition believe he may be delaying because he is not sure of the outcome of the Election Petition Tribunal. Although he had allegedly taken steps to ensure victory at the Appeal Court, evidences are said to have been enormous. besides, the international dimension is another issue. The Supreme Court also looks at international and political precedence in delivering judgements.

Officially, the Permanent secretaries are de juro heads of each ministry, but it is said that some may still be taking instructions from old ministers.