President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for the UK on a two-week working holiday, amidst growing pressure from ministers hoping to retain their positions and politicians vying for cabinet roles. This retreat provides him with an opportunity to reflect on his administration’s economic policies and prepare for potential cabinet changes.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, mentioned that Tinubu will also use this time to make final decisions on his new team and evaluate security reports on potential candidates for the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
There has been widespread speculation about an impending cabinet reshuffle, with reports suggesting that up to 11 ministers and special advisers could be affected. Though there were expectations that new names would be submitted to the National Assembly for screening before Nigeria’s Independence Day, this has yet to happen.
Lobbying for positions has intensified, with some politicians planning to travel to the UK to make their case to the President. A report from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) is also expected to influence Tinubu’s decisions, with many current ministers reportedly underperforming.
Debo Adeniran, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), urged Tinubu to prioritize competence, integrity, and public service in his selection of cabinet members. He emphasized the importance of rooting out corruption and ensuring that those appointed are committed to serving the people.
Adeniran stated, “Anyone involved in corruption or frivolous spending should be removed. New appointees must have a proven track record of integrity and public service. The President must focus on appointing individuals who genuinely want to serve, not those driven by personal ambition.”
Meanwhile, Reverend Okechukwu Obioha, National President of Njiko Igbo, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a cabinet reshuffle. He argued that the real issue lies in the flawed process that brought the current leadership to power, and until that is addressed, any changes will have little impact.
Obioha said, “Changing ministers won’t solve the deeper issues. The leadership process is flawed, and until President Tinubu acknowledges this and seeks to correct it, the administration will continue to struggle. A genuine apology and recognition of the problem are necessary for progress.”
Obioha also criticized the administration’s approach to governance, stating that the country is not functioning as a democracy. He suggested that Tinubu revisit the 2014 national conference report and use it as a blueprint for meaningful reform.
As President Tinubu takes this time away, all eyes are on him to see how he will reshape his administration and address the pressing issues facing the nation.
