The Presidency has confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is on the horizon, indicating that up to 11 ministers could soon be relieved of their positions.
This development was shared during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Joining Onanuga at the briefing, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, did not provide a specific timeline for the reshuffle but hinted that an announcement could be made later this week.
Insiders who spoke with Guardian noted that the long-anticipated changes were postponed following the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.
“It’s true President Bola Tinubu has plans to reshuffle his cabinet, but I can’t say specifically whether that will be done before the Independence celebration on October 1,” Onanuga stated, emphasizing that the President initially appointed his ministers in August of last year.
Reports suggest that Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is among those potentially facing dismissal. While the exact details remain unclear, it has been made known that a comprehensive review of ministerial performance is underway as pressure mounts from various stakeholders for a more effective cabinet.
The platform disclosed that former minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola is noted to have been identified as a likely replacement for Gbajabiamila.
If he declines the offer, the current principal secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola has been identified to fill the void.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun is expected to get a junior minister in the person of the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal
Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
While decisive action is likely to be taken on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, insiders note that the ministry might be scrapped due to the level of malfeasance and corruption perpetrated under the guise of intervention programmes.
Also, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management, Ishak Salaco, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and a few others may not be lucky in the imminent cabinet reshuffle.
According to those familiar with the imminent changes, some ministers may be moved to other ministries, while those found to have performed below par will be removed.
The insiders also noted that a minister who served under the Buhari administration will likely be returned to serve under the present administration.
The official confirmation of a cabinet shake-up comes after months of speculation since Tinubu’s first anniversary in office, as Nigerians grumble about the need for better governance performance amid economic challenges.
This is also happening against the backdrop of some ministers falling below expectations regarding his Renewed Hope agenda.
A year after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated his 45-minister cabinet, many Nigerians expressed displeasure with the team’s performance.