46 Ministers Face Fresh Review As Tinubu Prepares For Cabinet Shake-up

46 Ministers Face Fresh Review As Tinubu Prepares For Cabinet Shake-up

Ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned cabinet shake-up, many ministers and their political backers have ramped up lobbying efforts to retain their positions, The PUNCH has learned…….CONTINUE READING 

On Wednesday, the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu would soon reshuffle his cabinet, affirming the September 1 report by Sunday PUNCH that a shake-up was imminent.

As this unfolds, sources within the Presidency revealed that several ministers have begun lobbying to stay in Tinubu’s good graces. “Yes, it’s typical. Some ministers are reaching out to their political sponsors to influence the President, but ultimately, he will do what he thinks is best for the country,” said one of the aides.

It was further revealed that some ministers, fearing removal, along with their political godfathers, are actively seeking support from Tinubu’s close allies, including the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to secure their positions.

One senior official noted that Gbajabiamila has expressed concern over the intense pressure and lobbying aimed at swaying Tinubu’s decisions regarding the Federal Executive Council. “Since word got out about the possible reshuffle, there’s been heavy pressure on the President from political figures and ministers worried about being dropped,” the source said.

This intense lobbying reportedly led Gbajabiamila to suggest Tinubu take a brief break in the UK following the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit two weeks ago. “The President needed time away to let the pressure ease,” the official added, refuting rumors that Tinubu’s UK visit was for medical reasons.

Despite the lobbying, there’s a strong sentiment among Nigerians that many ministers have underperformed. Sources suggest the President is expected to act on this feedback, with an announcement of the shake-up likely by October 1, though The PUNCH could not independently verify this date.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media, O’Tega Ogra, stated that the reshuffle would be based on performance reports compiled over the past months.

Onanuga confirmed the upcoming reshuffle but did not provide a timeline, saying, “The President has expressed his intent to reshuffle the cabinet, and he will do it when he is ready.”

Ogra emphasized that the decision would be guided by empirical evidence, specifically the performance reports gathered by the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, who leads the Central Delivery Coordination Unit. “The President will base his decision on these reports,” Ogra added.

Tinubu has faced mounting pressure from both within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, to remove underperforming ministers. Sources also indicated that as part of the reshuffle, some ministries may be merged or split, while others, like the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, may be scrapped altogether.

Although Tinubu had warned against underperformance nearly 10 months ago, his cabinet has largely remained unchanged, except for the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

At a cabinet retreat last November, Tinubu announced that the Central Delivery Coordination Unit would assess the performance of ministers and top government officials, and that these assessments would determine who stays or leaves.