The House of Representatives has lauded President Bola Tinubu for the recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the discharge of five ministers from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), describing the decision as a smart and patriotic move.
President Tinubu had in a recent within week sacked five Ministers, namely; Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs); Lola Ade-John, (Tourism); Tahir Mamman (Education); Abdullahi Gwarzo (Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim Bio (Youth Development).
The President, however, appointed seven new ministers; Nentawe Yilwatda, Muhammadu Dingyadi, Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu, Jumoke Oduwole, Idi Maiha, Yusuf Ata and Suwaiba Ahmad, while he redeployed 10 others to new portfolios.
Speaking to journalists on the development, deputy spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the Green Chamber was fully behind the move by President Tinubu to dispense off some Ministers and redeploy others.
He said: “This move is both smart and patriotic. Nigerians must not forget that to hit the ground running, Mr President caused the Ministers to sign a performance bond and he went ahead to inform them that only a good performance will make them keep their job.
“We saw how the former Minister of Women Affairs appeared before a Committee of the House not long ago and displayed very little respect for the legislature. This is unacceptable.
“Earlier in the week, the President walked his talk and some of the Ministers were asked to go. Do not forget that Nigerians have been calling for a rejig of the cabinet given the current situation of things in the country. Mr President cannot be everywhere. That is why he appointed people to man strategic components of the economy.
“By relieving those former Ministers of their jobs, he has shown that he is a listening President, who understands the state of affairs in the country.”
Agbese also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu and assured that the 10th House of Representatives will continue to lend a hand of support to ensure that the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was achieved.
“We all agree that there are a lot of challenges but Mr President is not resting. The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas is not resting. The pain we are all witnessing today is a result of many years of negligence by successive administrations.
“However, we cannot be making excuses all the time. Today, the National Assembly is making laws for the good governance of the country, empowering Nigerians and making democracy count for the people. In no distant time, Nigerians will begin to reap the gains of the current pains. We are getting there. All that is required is time.
“Mr. President has shown that the parliament is a veritable tool, critical and to the sustenance of our democracy and that is why are on the same page with him to take the country to where she ought to be,” he stated.
