Delay in Ministerial Appointments: PANDEF Accuses Buhari of Operating at ‘Low Capacity’

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari over the delay in appointing ministers and constituting his cabinet, describing the development as a setback to effective governance.

PANDEF, which represents interests in the Niger Delta region, said the President’s failure to promptly form his cabinet had denied Nigerians the full benefits of democratic governance.

The group’s National Secretary, Alfred Mulade, made the remarks after a PANDEF delegation paid a condolence visit to Afenifere leader Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo State, following the killing of his daughter, Funke Olakunrin.

PANDEF argued that Buhari’s administration was operating at what it described as “low capacity” because key ministerial positions had remained vacant.

According to the group, the President needed competent and experienced men and women to assist him in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the country.

PANDEF listed insecurity, killings, kidnappings, banditry and insurgency among the issues requiring urgent government attention.

It also pointed to economic difficulties, complaints of marginalisation, agitation for self-determination by some groups and public opposition to certain government policies as problems that required a fully constituted cabinet.

The group said Nigeria had no shortage of qualified individuals capable of serving as ministers and urged Buhari to fulfil his promise of running an inclusive government.

PANDEF maintained that Nigerians deserved effective governance after voting in the general elections and should not be subjected to prolonged delays in the formation of a new administration.

It therefore called on the President to appoint his ministers and constitute his full team without further delay.

The group warned that the country was facing serious economic, political and security challenges and said the administration needed to demonstrate greater urgency in addressing them.

PANDEF argued that the speedy appointment of capable ministers would help strengthen government decision-making and enable the administration to respond more effectively to national problems.

Earlier, a delegation led by PANDEF Deputy National Chairman Francis Doukpola visited Fasoranti to sympathise with him over the death of his daughter.

Doukpola conveyed the condolences of PANDEF National Leader Edwin Clark and people of the South-South geopolitical zone to the Fasoranti family.

He condemned the killing of Olakunrin and called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible were identified and brought to justice.

PANDEF also expressed concern over the broader security situation in the country, describing continued attacks on innocent citizens as unacceptable.

The group said its concerns about insecurity and national cohesion were among the reasons it continued to work with organisations including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum in advocating restructuring and reforms aimed at promoting a more peaceful and united Nigeria.

Former Ondo State Commissioner for Information Femi Aluko, speaking on behalf of the Fasoranti family, thanked the PANDEF delegation for the condolence visit.