President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made an unexpected and significant move by reshuffling his cabinet yesterday, catching many by surprise. The changes have prompted several observations, as noted by DAILY QUERY. Here are the key points raised:
1. Sunday Dare’s Appointment and Potential Role Overlap
2. One of the most striking appointments is that of Sunday Dare, the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, who has now been made the Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation. This move raises questions about whether Dare might be assuming the duties of Ajuri Ngelale, the former Special Adviser on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson to the President. The concern here is whether this could be an indirect way of shifting the role from the South-South, where Ngelale is from, to the South West, where Dare hails from. The change in title may be a strategic attempt to avoid tension surrounding the reassignment of this key position.
3. Ministerial Portfolios Announced Pre-Screening: A Departure from Tradition
In a break from past practices, ministerial portfolios were assigned to nominees before their Senate screening. Traditionally, ministerial nominees would only learn of their assigned portfolios after their screening. However, this time, specific nominees were appointed with portfolios even before the process was completed. Among the key appointments were:
o Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
o Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment
o Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
o Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment
o Idi Mukhtar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development
o Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
o Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education
This approach has raised eyebrows, as it is the first time portfolios were disclosed to the public before the screening process had even concluded, marking a significant shift in how cabinet reshuffles are conducted.
4. Ogun State Dominates with Four Ministerial Appointments
Another notable feature of the reshuffle is the dominance of Ogun State in the cabinet. With the addition of Jumoke Oduwole as the new Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Ogun State now boasts four cabinet members. Oduwole joins Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the Economy; Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy and Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Environment. This concentration of appointments from a single state has sparked debate about regional representation and balance within the government.
5. Betta Edu’s Replacement Amid Controversy
The appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has effectively brought an end to Betta Edu’s tenure in the role. Edu had faced scrutiny following allegations of diverting N585 million meant for vulnerable persons. Though she had faded from the public eye for a time, Edu re-emerged briefly in July, sending a condolence message to victims of the Jos building collapse, notably using the ministry’s official letterhead. Her replacement with Yilwatda may signal the government’s attempt to move past the controversy surrounding her, providing a fresh start for the ministry.
President Tinubu’s reshuffle, with its blend of unexpected moves and regional considerations, has stirred debate and left many watching to see how the newly configured cabinet will perform. As these changes take effect, questions remain about the implications for the balance of power and policy direction in the months ahead.
