There is anxiety among members of the Taraba State Executive Council following an imminent cabinet reshuffle by Governor Agbu Kefas.
The imminence of cabinet shakeup was fueled by a hint of the special adviser to the Governor on Media and Digital Communications, Hon. Emmanuel Bello.
Bello had, in a recent Facebook post noted that the governor would soon “reshuffle his Kitchen Cabinet, arrange the plates and spoons.”
However, sources within the government revealed that speculations of a shake-up have been rife since the beginning of the year, with increased pressure on commissioners to deliver results.
A commissioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed that there is anxiety among his colleagues over the prospects of being dropped by the governor.
“Everyone is on edge. We are aware of the governor’s resolve to inject fresh energy into his administration, but nobody knows who will be affected,” the commissioner told LEADERSHIP.
The anticipated reshuffle has also sparked anxiety among political stakeholders, who are lobbying for the inclusion of their loyalists in the cabinet.
“This is the time to position ourselves strategically. We can’t go into the 2027 elections with this kind of cabinet.
“The governor has not confirmed when he will reshuffle his cabinet, but late last year, he told Commissioners during the State Executive Council meeting that anybody who did not perform will be drop and made a Special Adviser while others will be placed ahead of them.
“He even warned those fighting among their colleagues to desist or face removal,” a senior party official told our correspondent.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tanko Adi a resident of Jalingo told our correspondent that many Commissioners in Governor Agbu Kefas government have lost a sense of direction with no vision to deliver on the Moving Forward train of the administration.
“The zeal with which the administration started is dying down. Most of the commissioners except a few are working.
Go to the ministries and see what is happening there. Once the governor is out of town most of the Commissioners don’t report to work in their offices.
“These set of commissioners have lost touch with the people and the reality is that if they are allow to stay 2027 will be a difficult task for the Governor. Instead of going out to attract investment and benefits to the state, most of the commissioners are busy waiting for the governor to approve memos for them sometimes for projects that are of no benefit to the people.”
Some political analysts who spoke to LEADERSHIP believe the move is aimed at consolidating the administration’s achievements and addressing perceived lapses in governance.
“The governor’s agenda for transformation demands efficiency. A cabinet reshuffle might be inevitable,” said a political analyst in the state, Dr. Bala Sarkinyara.
