Ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s imminent cabinet shake-up, ministers and their political allies are ramping up lobbying efforts. A presidential aide remarked, “It’s typical; ministers are reaching out to their godfathers to influence the President. But he will prioritize what’s best for the country.”
As speculation grows about the reshuffle, sources indicate that some ministers fear being dropped and are seeking support from Tinubu’s allies, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. “Since the news of a cabinet reshuffle broke, the President has faced immense pressure,” a source noted, highlighting a need for Tinubu to take time away to manage the lobbying frenzy.
The Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that any reshuffle would be based on performance reports:
“The President has expressed his desire to reshuffle, but there’s no specific timeline.” He emphasized the need for ministers to actively communicate their achievements, stating, “The public feels the government isn’t doing enough.”
There are indications the President may eliminate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and alter various portfolios. Despite prior warnings against underperformance, many ministers remain, with only the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu noted.
Performance assessments conducted by Hadiza Bala-Usman’s unit will inform the reshuffle, which may occur by October 1, though this is unconfirmed. Bala-Usman said, “Ministers are to submit performance reports based on their deliverables.”
Nigerians are increasingly frustrated with perceived poor performance from the cabinet, leading to protests. While some ministers, like Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, have made notable achievements, many are criticized for failing to address pressing issues like economic hardship, insecurity, and infrastructure development.
The situation reflects a growing discontent among citizens, with calls for accountability and effective governance becoming louder.
