“Ministerial Appointment: Delay is Dangerous for Nigeria”

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, June 29th, 2015

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), on Monday challenged President Muhmmadu Buhari to constitute his cabinet saying “delay is dangerous.”

The association also pleaded with the National Association of Resident Doctors to call of their strike in public interest.

The President of MDCAN, Dr Steve Oluwole, at a press briefing in Abuja expressed great concern over the vacuum resulting from Buhari’s refusal to form a complete government one month after his assumption of power.

He said, “It is obvious, we have concerns; we are not isolated, we are not the only ones affected, there are certain issues that we want to raise or oppose but we can’t do. But we cannot say because it is a new government coming in. Even if it is another party that takes over, things move within hours, so we can’t say because it is a new party and government that is why it is so.”

The MDCAN president explained that given the current predicament due to the vacuum, there is need to address some critical issues in the health sector.

He called on President Buhari to move fast in addressing the vacuum created in the running of the government, stating that, “we want the president to expedite action; because, it becomes indefensible to our own democracy where it looks like there is vacuum, no movement in that ministry.”

He observed that there is an urgency to “have a functional government, not just have elections, or constitute National Assembly like we have now, that is not sufficient, and I think our patience is running out now as a nation.”

The MDCAN President said the appointment of health minister by the Buhari’s administration should take into consideration in appointing “not just a doctor but somebody who has the basic medical qualification, post – graduate qualifications and know public health.”

President Buhari has come under severe criticism both from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and many Nigerians for refusing to constitute his cabinet a month after his inauguration as president of Nigeria.