Giving portfolios to some Ministers may threaten Nigeria’s unity – Balarabe warns Buhari

A former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa has described the comment by President Muhammadu Buhari that some ministers may not have portfolio as a political blunder, which the country may regret.

“The president may be making a grievous political mistake which may generate further tension in the polity. I don’t think there is any wisdom in the practice because it may further aggravate political tensions in the country,” he told Daily Independent.

Musa some states, which would have ministers without portfolios would feel cheated, a development that may cause disunity and heighten tension in the country.

On the argument that the country would save cost if some ministers were appointed without portfolio, Musa dismissed such, saying any minister appointed either with or without portfolio would receive the same remunerations.

“I don’t believe that it is cheaper to have ministers without portfolio because they both receive the same remunerations.

“If the country is broke and cannot afford 36 ministers as we are made to understand, then there is no need to appoint 36 of them because the country is not going to save any kobo from the practice”, he insisted.
 
Musa urged President Buhari to put in more efforts in addressing numerous challenges facing the country as promised during his campaign.