Ahead of the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, the race for cabinet appointments has begun.

A former Military Administrator, three outgoing governors and 15 ministers are jostling for cabinet seats.

There were indications last night that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) may be zoned to the North-Central in favour of a Christian candidate.

Besides, there is pressure on the President to revert to a 42-man cabinet structure as part of his pledge of inclusiveness.

The new structure will include the constitutionally recommended 36 ministers from each state of the federation and six others representing each of the nation’s geopolitical zones — if Buhari embraces the idea.

The President is yet to give a commitment to the 42-man structure, The Nation has learnt.

Lobbyists, including governors and ministers, have been mounting pressure on influential citizens to put in a word for them.

Women are said to be demanding more ministerial jobs, including “strategic ministries”.

The pressure is said to have accounted for the recommendation of a 42-man cabinet.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of those seeking to be ministers include a former Military Administrator, three of the outgoing governors and no fewer than 15 of the over 30 ministers who will complete their tenure on May 22.

“As for the three outgoing governors, two may represent their geopolitical zones, depending on the outcome of consultations between the President and leaders from their zones.”

“No fewer than 15 ministers are said to be seeking a second chance, because “some of them who faltered in office are claiming that they have learnt their lessons”.

“All these ministerial aspirants have been mounting pressure on the members of the Kitchen Cabinet of the President in order to be picked.”

There were indications that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) might be zoned to the North-Central in favour of a Christian candidate.

But some party leaders have been making a strong case for the Southeast to produce the SGF despite the zone’s rejection of Buhari at the poll.

A government source said: “Definitely, the SGF post will shift from the Northeast to another zone because the Northeast has enjoyed the slot in the last four years, with Engr. Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha occupying the office.

“The North-central looks more favoured with a Christian candidate for the slot.”

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) leader prefer that the Southeast should produce the SGF, despite the zone’s hostility to Buhari during the just-concluded general elections, the source added.

Pushing for a return to the 42-man cabinet structure, it was learnt, are some of the President’s “strategists” and some governors.

•Excerpted from The Nation report