Former governors, senators, and other prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stepped up their lobbying efforts to influence President Bola Tinubu to nominate them as ministers.
Investigations revealed that while some state chapters of the ruling party are still compiling names of candidates for cabinet positions, others have already completed the task.
Reliable sources claim that the lists would be delivered to the party secretariat in Abuja, where President Tinubu will decide on the selection and announce the names of the ministers and their portfolios shortly after.
A bill requiring the President and governors to submit the names of people nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of starting office was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on March 17, 2023, according to DAILY POST.
Tinubu must name the cabinet within 60 days after Buhari signs the modified legislation.
The Senate and state House of Assembly, respectively, must confirm the lists. According to this new directive, President Bola Tinubu, who into office on May 29, has less than 33 days left to reveal his cabinet.
The previous administration left 27 ministries unfilled. Which are:
Federal Capital Territory Administration
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Aviation
Ministry of Budget and National Planning
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Information and Culture
Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
Ministry of Power
Ministry of Transportation.
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Ministry of Youth and Sport
Ministry of Works and Housing
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
President Tinubu has been well received by the public as a result of his recent nominations, however there are concerns that qualified people rather than party loyalists may fill the ministry positions.
According to DAILY POST investigations, some party chieftains, including former governors and lawmakers who lost the February 25 election, have been routinely spotted at the APC National Secretariat in recent weeks. Their unexpected arrivals to the secretariat in the capital of the country have been seen as a contest for cabinet jobs.
Others did not show up in Abuja, although their names are highly suggested as potential ministerial contenders. Former governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano are included in this group.
Similar rumors surround Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and current PDP loyalist, who is considering joining the opposition party in order to accept a position in the government.
State-level APC chapters are vying for positions as payment for their assistance in Tinubu’s triumph.
Sokoto State is considering Senator Ibrahim Gobir, the outgoing majority leader of the Senate, for a ministerial position, while party supporters in Osun State are pushing for Gboyega Oyetola, the outgoing governor of the state, to be designated a minister.
Beyond rumors, a party source who spoke to Daily Post on the condition of anonymity confirmed that some party members will be rewarded with ministerial jobs or other high-ranking positions for their tireless efforts to ensure Bola Tinubu’s victory on February 25 even though they did not win the previous general election.
He quickly clarified, though, that these appointments would be made in exchange for something else.
“You want to be a minister, but in the meantime you couldn’t even deliver your own polling unit for Asiwaju,” he remarked. Since this is politics, it is not conceivable.
There are party members who clearly worked against us. How is it possible that such individuals are currently lobbying for cabinet positions? Being well-known within the party is not a sufficient justification for appointment. According to the favor you show, you will receive favor.
“There are some people who weren’t party members but put up a good fight to ensure that Asiwaju won that election; should Tinubu now abandon them and go for those who didn’t do anything just because they are party members?” he said. No, it doesn’t operate in that way.
“You cannot work with Bola Tinubu if you are not a loyal person. He collaborates with people he knows and trusts, not only APC members.
Iorfa Thomas, a prominent member of the ruling party and a past contender for the Zone C senatorial seat in Benue, asserted that Tinubu will have a competent cabinet that will give Nigerians the level of government they desire.
He asserts that the president’s prior nominations serve as a reliable predictor of the manner in which his future ministers would be chosen.
“President Tinubu will not let Nigerians down, and even though he doesn’t have enough time, they should expect competent individuals in his cabinet,” he declared. It is not necessary to look for a capable person all year long. I think he already knows people he can collaborate with.
“Former president Buhari had almost half a year to pick his ministers, yet they didn’t meet the expectations of average Nigerians,” he continued. Due to a recent rule requiring him to choose his ministers within 60 days of taking office, Tinubu has a limited amount of time, yet he will have the best ministers in nation history.
The president balanced his recent appointments by visiting several regions, the speaker continued. He will see to it that no one is overlooked.
“For instance, the Tiv already have George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Benue; as a result, Zone C, the Idoma country, is likely to receive a ministerial position.
We will all have reasons to congratulate the President at the end of the day when the list is released, I’m confident of it.
