High Expectations As Nigerians Await Tinubu’s Cabinet

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, from day one in office, hit the ground running. He introduced some measures to tackle nagging national problems which include: fuel subsidy removal, signing the Students Loan Bill into law, suspension of a 5% tax on telecom services, import tax on vehicles, among others.

However, some Nigerians have said that since it takes a team to build a dream, for Tinubu’s government to function optimally, he needs to appoint credible and competent people in his cabinet. Already, there have been some commendations in his appointment of Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

Pundits said that Akume’s appointment is apt as it will enable the federal government have its policies and programmes monitored, coordinated, and implemented, and to effectively drive policy formulation in the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

Many Nigerians have expressed expectations as they are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial list. According to them, they are expecting a cabinet that is capable to tackle insecurity, corruption, and bring economic development. They want competent individuals with a track record of success in their respective fields to drive progress and development.

By law, Tinubu is required to name his cabinet within 60 days after taking the oath of office on May 29 and transmits it to the Senate for confirmation. As it is now, the President has few days left to submit his cabinet list to the National Assembly as recommended by the constitution. Already, lawmakers and other Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the list of ministers who would help to deliver the President’s renewed hope agenda.

Many of them said that they are hopeful that President Tinubu’s choices will reflect Nigeria’s diversity and inclusivity, and that the new ministers will be able to tackle the many challenges facing the country. They have also urged the President to consider merit in the composition of his cabinet.

Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against appointing desperate lobbyists in his cabinet. He emphasized that public office is a trust and should not be given to individuals of questionable character.

In a statement released in Kaduna, Colonel Umar urged President Tinubu to be cautious of individuals who are desperate for appointments. He specifically warned against former governors who have displayed embarrassing desperation for positions.

Also, the General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, recently advised President Bola Tinubu to rule Nigeria with the fear of God and shun the temptation of sentiments in appointments into his cabinet and other key positions.

Oladeji, who said focus should be on appointing patriotic people with the capacity to deliver, advised the president to allow God to lead him to ensure the selection of the right people in the process, saying such was crucial to the country’s development and restoring hope to Nigerians.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has also advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to populate his cabinet with chartered accountants.

ICAN also commended the President for some economic reforms within a short period of time in office, particularly in the areas of fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange rate unification and clean energy transition. The professional body, which strongly believes that, as an accountant, the President will understand clearly what they are saying.

The South-West Governors’ Forum has also advised the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be conscious in attempts to bring on board only those with proven capacity for expertise into the government. South-West Governors’ Forum noted that, “this is not the time to gloat on the electoral victories recorded in the last general elections. It is not a season for recriminations.”

Speaking on people with proven capacity for expertise into the government, a public affairs analyst, Femi Ojo commended the appointment of Akume as the SGF describing him as the engine room of the federal government. He said, ‘‘The Office of the SGF is saddled with enormous responsibilities. It provides the President with strategic advice on policy matters, offers recommendations to facilitate informed decision-making, oversees the day-to-day operations and administration of the government, facilitates collaboration, resolves conflicts, and promotes the implementation of government policies across various MDAs.

‘‘SGF is responsible for organising Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings and interfaces the federal government with state governments or any subnational body. FEC is the highest decision-making body of the executive arm of government. These are no easy responsibilities; they require a tested hand like Akume to give these obligations the required bite.

‘‘Akume is a consummate servant-leader, administrator and politician. Before coming to the limelight, he rose steadily from the civil service ranks and held several important positions including chairmanships of LGAs, and head of directorates before bowing out of the civil service as a Permanent Secretary to vie for the governorship of the state. He was a two-term governor, three-term senator and a Minister of Special Duties under the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari and left each on a high note and has amassed the sophistication necessary to discharge the particularly important Office of the SGF.

George Akume, 70 years old, was born on May 27, 1953, and is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Akume holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution. He has had a long and distinguished career in Nigerian politics, serving as the Governor of Benue State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.

Also, the Southern Youth Development Forum described the appointment of former Minister of Special Duties, George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation as a round peg in a round hole. Convener of the Forum, Pastor Bassey James, while commending President Tinubu for the appointment said the choice of the former governor of Benue State signalled the first time in the political history of the country appointments are shared equitably among the six regions of the country.

Another public affairs analyst, Charles Okoh said that since the president has announced that he intends to run a government of competence, which according to him, is what Nigeria needs, he should consider people with new ideas in the cabinet. Nigeria, he said, needs men and women with new ideas, experience, exposure and commitment to a united and progressive Nigeria. He said, “I urge the President to choose his cabinet members largely on competence not politics.

‘‘Although President Tinubu has not yet broken any law by not appointing his ministers, there’s a time limit to do that, as codified in the constitution. Still, there are high expectations, given the urgency to rejig and retool the structures and processes of governance, especially at the national level, for practical and optimal service delivery to the people in dire need of accurate and organic dividends of democracy.Beyond the number of advisers appointed so far and the ministers yet to be appointed, there are multiple portfolios in different parastatals, ministries, departments and agencies of government that need to be filled with competent people who’ll also assist in transforming the President’s vision into reality for the greatest benefit of the greatest number of the Nigerian people.’’

Most of the experts believe that bringing high-flying youths into Tinubu’s cabinet will undoubtedly promote inclusion, engender diversity and also add quality vigour and dynamism to the mix.