…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
The Presidency has provided an explanation for President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision not to dissolve his cabinet during the valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday.
Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today and stated that there is no rule mandating the president to dissolve his cabinet after a valedictory session.
Adesina emphasized that it is dependent on the president’s preference and style.
President Buhari wants his cabinet members to continue working until the very last day.
He pointed out that some presidents choose to dissolve their cabinets after the last FEC meeting, but each leader has their own preferred style.
Funding to Clear Debts
Adesina further revealed that President Buhari approved last-minute funds shortly before the handover to the administration of Bola Tinubu because the government needs financial resources to clear outstanding debts.
He stated, “A wicked man pays and owes not, that is what the good book says.
When you owe and you refuse to pay, the Bible says you are a wicked man.
If the government is owing all those debts, why shouldn’t it pay? It should pay.”
He emphasized that the government has a mandate from a specific time period, in this case, from 2019 to 2023, and the government is diligently working within that timeframe.
Addressing Critics
Adesina responded to criticism by stating that the Buhari administration has not suppressed dissenting voices but has instead welcomed diverse opinions.
He acknowledged that critics have the right to express their opinions and make their own assessments.
Adesina highlighted that the government has published fact sheets demonstrating its achievements and the significant progress made during its tenure.
In summary, the decision to dissolve the cabinet after the valedictory FEC meeting was left to President Buhari’s discretion, and he opted to retain his cabinet members until the end.
The government also prioritized clearing outstanding debts by allocating additional funds.
The presidency emphasized its commitment to accommodating diverse opinions and highlighted the government’s achievements through published fact sheets.