President Muhammadu Buhari said Monday that he will name members of his cabinet before the end of this month.
Buhari, who has received a good measure of criticisms for running an administration for more than three months with out a cabinet, reassured Nigerians and the international community that the wait would soon be over.
He spoke in Aburi, Ghana at a joint press conference with President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.
“After I was sworn-in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” President Buhari said.
President Buhari also told reporters that the Nigerian military, in close collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force, has recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office as President.
“The first thing I did after I came into office was to reorganize the military and clear orders were given to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and redeployment of troops.
“In the northeast, the military is gaining ground and Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa forest.
“Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,” he said.
Buhari also spoke on his recent declaration of assets,saying it was a constitutional requirement that all public office holders in Nigeria should declare their assets before and after their term in office.
According to him, “I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State, we were lined up – governors, ministers, members of the Supreme Military Council. Officials of Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.
“All Heads of States and Government, governors, ministers, permanent secretaries have to declare their assets because it is a
constitutional requirement.
“I have declared my assets four times. When I was governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I have also declared.
Earlier, President Mahama said both leaders had fruitful discussions on how to enhance bilateral relations and improve regional security”, adding that his country and Nigeria would soon begin the process of reviving their joint commission for cooperation.
Mahama further disclosed that both leaders also agreed to encourage closer cooperation between the intelligence and anti-graft agencies of both countries.
He assured Nigeria of Ghana’s support and cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
