President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said it would take him some time to replace the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi who resigned his appointment after emerging as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State.
The President said the delay would be caused partly by his (the President’s) commitment to the 2019 general elections.
Buhari spoke at a valedictory session held in honour of the former minister at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The session preceded the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by the President.
Buhari said, “We certainly wish you the best of luck but it will take me some time to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated.
“But we need a very strong minister, strong in intellect and courage, so as to make sure that both the Nigerian and foreign collaborators who are taking away our resources can be checked effectively.
“We thank you very much for your contribution to your country. Goodbye, we will come for the inauguration.”
The President said he reluctantly accepted Fayemi’s resignation because of his constructive contributions to his administration.
He added, “By chance, he (Fayemi) was given the portfolio of solid minerals and steel development and you know that sector was virtually abandoned.
“When he went in, he began to deal with both Nigerians and foreigners that were exploiting the lack of commitment of those who were responsible for that sector before he went there.
“If you recall the number of children and women that suffered from the effect of mining in Zamfara State and other parts of the country and the people responsible. He only briefed me occasionally but he was packing them out of the country, with the cooperation of some of his colleagues. He would come here and let me know.”
Buhari expressed the hope that Fayemi would get Ekiti State back for the APC and stressed the need for proper voter education to educate Nigerians on the need to get their Permanent Voter Cards.
“I hope you will get Ekiti back for the party. The only time I saw the INEC chair was to insist that voter education should be emphasised so that ordinary Nigerians will believe that Nigeria is beginning to respect them and that their PVC is their status.
“I am in the position to say so, having lost three times and got to the Supreme Court. I know if not for technology, we will be doing the same thing.
“So, we thank technology because with the introduction of PVC and the readers card, votes counted.”
Fayemi, who described himself as an unrepentant Buhari’s boy, thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to serve.
He also thanked Buhari for releasing him.
“Thank you Mr President for the extraordinary privilege of serving our people.
“Thank you for not rejecting my request to embark on this rescue mission, because you know if you’d said no, I wouldn’t have run,” he said.
Fayemi also thanked other cabinet members for their cooperation as well as their kind and emotional words.
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