Tinubu May Announce New Cabinet Members This Week
By Wisdom Tide
October 22, 2024
Anticipated Cabinet Reshuffle Looms
Speculation is rife that President Bola Tinubu may announce a significant cabinet reshuffle this week, following a closed-door meeting with Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, held on Monday. This meeting is widely regarded as crucial in shaping the future composition of the cabinet, as the Policy Coordination office is responsible for establishing performance criteria for ministers and determining who will stay or be replaced.
Role of the Policy Coordination Office
The Policy Coordination office was entrusted with the task of evaluating ministers’ performance after the President’s November 2023 retreat, where ministers signed a “Performance Bond.” Additionally, the office has developed a “citizens’ delivery tracker” to collect data on the effectiveness of the cabinet members. While details of the recent meeting remain confidential, it comes at a pivotal time, as President Tinubu is expected not only to reshuffle his ministers but also to fill key vacant positions.
Vacant Ministerial Positions
Two key vacancies in Tinubu’s administration await new appointees. Simon Lalong, the former Minister of Labour and Employment and Director General of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign, resigned to take his Senate seat representing Plateau South. Moreover, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has been without a minister following the suspension of Betta Edu amid scandal. There is ongoing debate about whether this ministry will be retained or merged with the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has played a critical role in developing humanitarian policies, coordinating national interventions, and ensuring disaster preparedness and response. Any decision regarding this ministry's future will likely have significant implications for the government's ability to respond to crises.
New Ministry and Public Dissatisfaction
Another anticipated appointment is the Minister to oversee the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, a strategic move aimed at addressing critical issues within the agriculture sector.
However, President Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with certain ministers’ performance has been well-documented. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu expressed his displeasure during a Federal Executive Council meeting before his two-week annual leave. Onanuga noted that the President was frustrated with the ministers’ failure to effectively communicate the administration’s achievements to the public, despite significant progress in policy initiatives.
“The President has directed the Ministers to engage more with the public, especially regarding the accomplishments of this administration,” Onanuga stated. Although Onanuga could not confirm the exact timing of the reshuffle, he hinted that the President has indicated his intention to make changes soon.
Delays Due to Pressure Groups
The anticipated reshuffle has faced delays, largely due to opposition from various interest groups. BusinessDay reported that certain factions have emerged to oppose the move, exerting pressure on the presidency to hold off on making changes.
One such voice is Mustapha Audu, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has called for the reshuffle, asserting that more than half of the current ministers are underperforming. “A lot of non-performing members of the cabinet... More than 50% of the cabinet are non-performing. No one knows who they are, and it’s quite unfortunate,” Audu stated. He stressed that the President needs to appoint ministers with vision and capability to deliver on the promises of the Renewed Hope agenda.
“Nigerians are not feeling the Renewed Hope agenda—that’s just the truth of it,” Audu continued, highlighting the recent protests as evidence of public dissatisfaction. “Two protests in the space of three months show that we’re not performing as we promised.”
Northern Elders' Support for Ministers
While some advocate for sweeping changes, others are standing by the current ministers. The Northern Elders Political Development Group has passed a vote of confidence on several ministers, particularly those from the northern region. Adamu Giwa, the group’s Secretary General, praised ministers such as Farouk Dangiwa (Housing), Abubakar Atiku (Budget and Economic Planning), Mohammed Matawalle (Defence), and Christopher Musa (Chief of Defence Staff), insisting that they have performed admirably.
The group has urged President Tinubu to focus on addressing insecurity and advancing economic reforms rather than reshuffling his cabinet, stating, “Tinubu’s ministers have performed creditably well.”
Conclusion
As President Tinubu weighs the decision of a cabinet reshuffle, the country waits with bated breath. With key ministries vacant and growing public dissatisfaction, the President faces the challenge of aligning his administration’s performance with the expectations of Nigerians. Whether a reshuffle occurs this week or later, it is clear that changes are necessary to reinvigorate the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises and addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.
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