The outgoing Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo says it is an aberration to appoint a Minister of State.
He stated this while making a speech during a valedictory session chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
Citing some portions of the constitution, Keyamo, however, noted that his observation was not out of ingratitude but as his contribution to the nation’s constitutional development as a relatively young democracy and to aid future governments to optimise the performance of those they appoint as ministers.
He explained in a lengthy speech made available to the press that it is difficult to assess the individual performances of the Ministers of State since their discretion were shackled with the discretion of the Ministers as any original ideas developed by a Minister of State are subject to clearance by another colleague in cabinet before they can sail through for consideration by Council.
Meanwhile, at the valedictory session, the President thanked his ministers and State House staff who worked with him in the past eight years.
He said is proud that he and his cabinet gave their best to Nigerians and urged them to support for the incoming President.
“I am proud to say we gave our best,’’ the President was quoted as saying in a statement released by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
The President directed the ministers to tidy up their work and avoid last-minute rush that could compromise the good deeds they had done over the years.