By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has given insight into a possible shake-up in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with a view to injecting more party support in the running of his government.
The President’s promise was contained in his speech to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which was however not read to the hearing of the media as they were asked to leave the hall by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, before the President could address the meeting.
Chief Oyegun on his part did not make any remark before asking journalists to leave the meeting hall.
According to the speech made available to newsmen, Buhari said: “On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the grace of God these appointments will be announced soon, especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.
“By the same token, the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at the federal level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government.”
At the yesterday’s APC NEC meeting, about 21 governors, members of National Assembly led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, state chairmen and members of the National Working Committee, attended the meeting which was the third since the party came in power in 2015.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was expected at the meeting, was absent, but sources close to him said he was out of the country.
Those in attendance were Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna).
Others are Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).
The senators at the meeting were Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senate Minority Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Binta Garba, Andy Ubah, Magnus Abbe, Dino Melaye, Ahmed Sani Yerima, Gbenga Ashafa and Barnabas Gemade.
From the House of Representatives came Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Whip, Ado Dogowa, among others.
Pioneer National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audi Ogbe, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Matter, Babafemi Ojodu, were also in attendance.
