Buhari names himself as Petroleum Minister

Pesident Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he would head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the new cabinet.

He said this in New York on Tuesday during a chat with some journalist shortly after addressing a Global Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism.

He said, "I will remain Minister of Petroleum. I will appoint a minister of State for Petroleum".

According to him, this step is being taken as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria's oil industry, which is said to be plagued by corruption, massive fraud, and crude oil theft.

Mr. Buhari restated his determination to sanitise Nigeria's oil industry and free it from corruption and shady deals.

The president is expected to name his cabinet later on Wednesday, having promised Nigerians that he would do so in September.

Meanwhile, investigations had shown that names of nominees for the ministerial appointment had been forwarded to the National Assembly for ratification.

In his welcoming address on Tuesday, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, indicated that the screening of the ministers would be thorough and comprehensive.

According to him, the screening of the nominees would be in-depth to ensure that only competent and qualified individuals occupied the positions.

"As we await the list of ministerial nominees this week, we are prepared to treat the screening with dispatch but with thoroughness," the Senate President said.

"I believe the presence of ministers will create the space for greater policy engagement with the executive arm of government.

"I want to urge you all my colleagues to ensure that what is uppermost in our minds as we begin the constitutional task of screening of ministerial nominees is the overall interest of our country."

He added, "Once the list is submitted, let us ensure that we treat it with dispatch and thoroughness. We must not be held down by unnecessary politicking.

"The enormity of our national challenges at this time does not give room for pettiness or politics of vendetta.