FOLLOWING the announcement made a few days ago that President Bola Tinubu may drop some ministers in the next couple of days, a pall of apprehension has descended on members of the Federal Executive Council.
“Some of the appointees will go for non-performance while others will be dropped because of certain actions they took which were regarded as not good enough,” a Villa source told Saturday Tribune on Friday.
The source specifically mentioned infractions relating to board appointments as the undoing of at least two of those who may lose their jobs.
The source said Nigerians should watch out for whatever “may happen on the Independence Day.”
There are also indications that President Tinubu may appoint the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as a minister.
Apart from Kwankwaso, another opposition politician that may get a ministerial appointment is Senator Shehu Sani. Sani left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October 2018 and declared for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Very competent sources said the president had consulted widely on his desire to bring fresh hands on board his government with a hand of fellowship extended to certain politicians who are outside the fold of the APC.
“Kwankwaso is being seriously considered for the appointment. His greatest asset is his Kwankwasiyya Movement and the hold the group has over the millions of voters in Kano.
“Ironically, it is the same strength which he has that those opposed to him are using to kick against his coming into the Tinubu government. They think he may spring a surprise by quitting the government at the last minute to contest for the presidency in 2027. The president is, however, said to be seriously considering offering him the appointment,” one of the sources said.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had, while briefing newsmen on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, hinted that President Tinubu desired to reshuffle his cabinet soon.
Onanuga, responding to a reporter’s question, confirmed that the president was nursing the idea of rejiggling the Federal Executive Council.
The presidential aide was not specific on how soon the reshuffle will take place or which ministers will be moved or dropped.
“It is true President Bola Tinubu has plan to reshuffle his cabinet but I can’t say specifically whether that will be done before the Independence celebration on October 1,” he was quoted to have said.
A media report during the week named eleven out of the president’s over 40 ministers as likely to be affected by the sack. The report also named a principal aide of the president as another potential casualty.
A source close to the presidency however, told Saturday Tribune on Friday that about eight ministers may be dropped although almost all the appointees are angling to know who and who might be affected by the presidential action.
“As the incumbents are working hard to be retained, politicians outside the government are also lobbying persons believed to have the ears of the president for them to come in. The president is, however, keeping his game very close to his chest,” he said.