A wave of cabinet shake-ups is sweeping across many states in the country, as the governors appear to have embarked on the exercise to assert control of governance outcomes.
On the one hand, the first-term governors hope to assert themselves in preparation for a possible second term and have a firm grip on the party structure, perhaps.
On the other hand, governors, serving out their second terms may only be seeking to consolidate on their performance so far, to pave a path to produce their successors who are likely to come from their cabinet.
The dominant political culture since 1999, shows that a good number governors had served as cabinet members of their predecessors.
Analysts say this move may not be unconnected with 2027 agenda.
Some governors are now sacking non-performing commissioners and advisers and hiring others to consolidate their mandates and performance.
On 13 December 2024, Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Yusuf sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Bichi, on health grounds alongside five commissioners in a major cabinet shake-up.
The governor also scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff which was occupied by Alhaji Shehu Sagagi.
In October 2024, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) suspended the SSG and the Commissioner for Transport, Muhammad Diggol, for disrespecting the party and its leadership.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is also investigating allegations of multi-million-naira procurement fraud and mismanagement of Federal Government palliative items against Sagagi.
The governor has since replaced the sacked commissioners with new ones who were sworn in on Monday.
The changes didn’t stop in Kano as the Nasawara State governor, Abdullahi Sule, on 3 January 2025, made sweeping changes to his government team, dismissing all his commissioners and removing the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Muhammad Aliyu-Ubamdoma.
The changes in Nasarawa were greeted with jubilation, especially in Lafia, the state capital.
Sule has given reasons for dissolving his cabinet hours after Vice President Kashim Shettima’s one-day working visit to the state.
Governor Sule announced the dissolution of the cabinet during an emergency state executive council meeting held at the Government House last Friday.
The Governor said it had become necessary to drop the commissioners to accommodate certain people and give everyone a sense of belonging. He added that he wanted to perform better in the last two years of his administration.
Also, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has removed five Commissioners from his cabinet to reinvigorate governance and ensure optimal service delivery to the state’s people.
The affected commissioners include Dr. Jamila Mohammed Dahiru, Education; Barr Abubakar Abdulhameed Bununu, Internal Security and Home Affairs; Comrade Usman Danturaki, Information and Communication; Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, Agriculture; and Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim Hamza.
On Tuesday, a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, said the cabinet reconstitution was a routine measure to enhance the administration’s effectiveness.
Gidado added that the move reflected the administration’s commitment to injecting new ideas and energy into governance in line with the governor’s vision of strengthening government machinery and effectively addressing emerging challenges.
He also noted that their efforts had been instrumental in advancing key initiatives and policies of his administration.
In Katsina, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda announced a cabinet reshuffle to strengthen his administration’s “Building Your Future Agenda.”
The adjustments made available to LEADERSHIP by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula, stated that the reshufflement was designed to optimise the performance of key ministries and improve service delivery to the people of Katsina State.
Alhaji Malik Anas, who will take over as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, is a notable addition to the cabinet.
Anas holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano.
In other changes, Bello Kagara, the outgoing Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Finance, while former head of the Ministry of Finance, Bashir Tanimu Gambo will now oversee the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Additionally, Yusuf Rabi’u Jirdede has moved from the Ministry of Special Duties to lead the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Investment with Adnan Nahabu taking Jirdede’s former role at the Ministry of Special Duties.
Governor Radda urged the newly appointed and reassigned commissioners to maintain excellence and intensify their efforts to serve the people of Katsina.
He urged Malik Anas and others to align their respective ministries with the administration’s vision for the state.
These reshufflings and changes in some state’s cabinets, according to sources, reflect the governor’s strategies towards the 2027 polls and to ensure efficiency and responsive governance for their political advancement.
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