by Alexander Onukwue

The audio tape found of the Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, who doubles as the Minister of Justice, has thrown more salt into the broth. Various brands of long spoons, both flat and curved, are being employed to interpret the FEC’s decision on Wednesday not to have an opinion on the matter of the confirmation.

Those who wish to stoke the fire on the Acting President and have him isolated by the Ministers have scooped the apparently burnt parts of Malami’s statement to imply that the whole broth is a bad meal, hence the cook should be done away with. Knowing the role of the Ministers in declaring a President incapacitated according to Section 141 of the Constitution, attention has duly heightened on the words and movements of the members of the cabinet which Osinbajo chairs.

Until now, the assessment of Nigerians on the performance of most of the Federal Ministers serving under the Buhari administration has been underwhelming.

With the snail pace of decision making that made their appointments a protracted affair, they were behind schedule from November 2015 when they reported to their various positions. A few developments have been initiated by some Ministries to deserve commendation, like the Ministry of Health’s increased engagement and prompt response to issues pointed out. But why Professor Isaac Adewole (the Minister of Health) can rest assured of a good grading so far, not much can be said of most Ministers.

In a mild ironic twist, the Ministers, previously not so regarded as being significantly influential players in the polity, and who can easily be changed, are probably the most important public officers in Nigeria today. The Senate have demanded an apology from Osinbajo for his statement that the Constitution does not require the Executive to seek the confirmation of the EFCC Chairman from the upper legislative House.

The level of murmurings surrounding the Acting President’s future necessarily increases the scrutiny to be placed on the word and actions of the Ministers. Lock in your seat belts, people, this ride is about to navigate some potholes.

Editor