Judging from the score cards (Perfoemance records) of the ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s team the recent cabinet reshuffle that saw over 70 % of members of the cabinet retaining their positions is a slap on the wrist. A university don and critical observer of the policies of Tinubu has opined that the change fails to address the most pressing concerns of the citizenry. Hussaini Ibrahim Kafi in this special report appraises some of the ministers that are literally in the eye of the storm.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, a move long anticipated by Nigerians, has left many questioning his judgment. Despite months of growing pressure and public anxiety, the changes implemented fell short of expectations, sparking widespread criticism.
On Wednesday, the president sacked five ministers and appointed seven new ones. The president also reassigned ten 10 ministers to new position.
The five ministers sacked are Uju-Ken Uhanenye, the former minister of women affairs, Lola Ade John, the former minister of tourism, Tahir Mamman, the former minister of education, Abdullahi Gwarzo, minister of state housing and urban development, and Jamila Ibrahim, minister of youth development.
One of the most contentious aspects of the reshuffle was the retention of several ministers who have faced significant scrutiny and failed to deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people. A recent performance assessment revealed that over 60% of the ministers were unable to meet the required standards, raising serious concerns about their competence and suitability for their roles.
Among the ministers who have come under particularly intense criticism are: Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adekabu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Bello Matawalle
As Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has been accused of failing to effectively address the ongoing security crisis in the North-West region. His state, Zamfara, has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, and many Nigerians have questioned his ability to effectively combat these threats.
Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has faced criticism for his handling of the economy. Despite the government’s efforts to implement reforms, many Nigerians continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and rising inflation. Bagudu has also been accused of being too closely aligned with foreign interests, leading to concerns about his commitment to the Nigerian people.
Adebayo Adekabu
The Minister of Power has been criticized for his handling of the persistent poor dearth of electricity in the country. Many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response to these challenges, and Adekabu has been accused of being slow to act and ineffective in addressing the needs of the population.
Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has faced criticism for his failure to address the country’s food security challenges. Despite government efforts to promote agricultural production, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on food imports, and many Nigerians struggle to afford basic food staples.
Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar
The Minister of Defence has been criticized for his perceived lack of leadership and his failure to effectively address the security challenges facing the country. His tenure has been marked by a series of high-profile attacks, and many Nigerians have questioned his ability to protect the country’s citizens.
The continued presence of these ministers in the cabinet has sparked widespread outrage and calls for their resignation. Many Nigerians believe that the government needs to take decisive action to address the challenges facing the country, and they argue that retaining ministers who have failed to deliver is a disservice to the people.
A prominent political analyst, Professor Kamilu Fagge, from Bayero University, Kano, has expressed scepticism about cabinet reshuffle by the president. According to Professor Fagge, the change fails to address the most pressing concerns of the citizenry. He asserted that the reshuffle does not adequately tackle the core issues that matter most to Nigerians.
He added that, many of the sacked ministers are junior-level state minsters who lack the capacity to draft effective policy documents. He contends that the president should have dismissed senior ministers instead.
The Professor expressed concerns about the appointment of a new minister who served in the previous government. He argues that the minister should be investigated for his actions during his prior tenure. Additionally, Professor Fagge suggests that the president’s decision to appoint this individual is motivated by political patronage rather than merit.
As the pressure on President Tinubu mounts, it remains to be seen whether he will take further steps to address the concerns raised by the cabinet reshuffle.
The future of the Tinubu administration hinges on its ability to deliver results for the Nigerian people, and the performance of these struggling ministers will play a critical role in determining its success or failure.
