Cabinet: 2wks after screening, Gov Abdulrazaq keeps commissioners-designate guessing on inauguration

By Mumini AbdulKareem

Two weeks after the screening of 16 commissioner-nominees by the Kwara
State House of Assembly, there appears no date in sight yet for the
inauguration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s cabinet.
Following the completion of the screening exercise of the
Commissioners-designate and confirmation by the state House of
Assembly, the million dollar question Kwarans and residents of the
state have been asking is; when exactly is Governor Abdulrahman
Abdulrazaq going to inaugurate his cabinet… next week, upper week or
even January?
This poser attracted comments from top stakeholders in the government
and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, last
night.
But with the look of things and feelers from the Government House and
higher political circles in the state, only the Governor can give a
precise comment on it as many stakeholders are completely in the dark
over the issue, National Pilot learnt, last night.
Top government sources and some commissioners-designate that spoke on
the issue said the matter entirely rest with Governor Abdulrazaq
adding that they are yet to receive any directive as regards the
inauguration.
Following the confirmation by the Kwara State House of Assembly
penultimate week, there were expectations that the Governor may
inaugurate his cabinet last week but it did not happen.
Although there is no law compelling the Chief Executive Officer of the
state to inaugurate his cabinet within a certain timeframe, the delay
had however heightened expectations in the polity as many are
expecting the Governor to expedite action after the
commissioners-designate confirmation by the lawmaker.
However, the Governor is said to be keeping everything to his chest
leaving the commissioners-designate and top stakeholders guessing over
the matter.
Several commissioners-designate and stakeholders who spoke on the
issue last night, preferred to speak on the issue under anonymity
because of the sensitive of the issue and fear of backlash.
According to one of the commissioners-designate from Kwara Central, no
date has been fixed yet or arrived at for our inauguration adding that
only the Governor can say anything on that.
“There is no date yet for the inauguration”, the
commissioners-designate simply added.
Another appointee from Kwara North who also spoke on the issue with
this reporter echoed the same response. He further confirmed that they
have not been communicated yet on the matter.
“I don’t know yet (when the inauguration will be coming up). We have
not been communicated since we were confirmed by the House of
Assembly. But we are hoping that a day or two to the exercise, the
Governor will get across to us. But for now, I can confidently tell
you there is nothing of such yet”, he added.
A top source in the government who also spoke on the issue last night
said the decision rest with the Governor.
“I am not aware of anything yet on when they will be inaugurated; it
is only the governor that can determine that”, the source added.
According to another source who also noted that nothing is concrete on
the timeframe of the inauguration of the cabinet yet, the Governor
cannot be predicted on any of his decisions including the issue of
inauguration of his cabinet.
“One thing you must understand is that the Governor most often decides
on such issue as inauguration of his cabinet. Governor Abdulrazaq
keeps things to his chest and this one is not different. Although
there are talks around that their inauguration is not front burner
issue for now – some of the Governor’s associates are even suggesting
January. But how feasible is that is another question especially after
they have been confirmed.
“So, he (Governor) can decide to announce their inauguration today,
tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year and so on. He has
the final say, but I don’t think anything is in the offing yet as
regards when the cabinet will fully come on stream”, he noted.
The composition of the cabinet by Governor Abdulrazaq which comprises
nine women has attracted commendation within the state and
internationally including the United Nations.