Explosive reshuffle: Tinubu appoints seven new Ministers, dismisses Mamman, Ohanenye, others
…FEC scraps Niger Delta, Sports ministries, establishes regional development
…No basis for scrapping — Clark rejects dissolution of N’Delta Affairs Ministry
By Sodiq Adelakun
In a stunning surprise, President Tinubu has shaken up his cabinet, bidding farewell to five ministers, and welcoming seven new faces to the team.
Among those dismissed are Uju-Ken Ohanenye, who served as Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; Abdullahi Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.
The President has nominated Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, officially concluding the tenure of the suspended Betta Edu.
Other nominees include Maigari Dingyadi for Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole for Minister of Industry, Idi Maiha for the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata for Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad for Minister of State for Education.
Also, Shehu Dikko has been appointed as Chairman of the National Sports Commission, while Sunday Akin Dare will serve as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, reporting to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The Ministers of Finance, Defence, National Planning and two junior energy ministers all retained their positions.
Expressing gratitude to the outgoing ministers, President Tinubu wished them success in their future endeavours.
The President appreciated the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavours.
He then charged the newly appointed ministers as well as their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation.
He added that all appointees must understand the administration’s eagerness and determination to set Nigeria on the path to irreversible growth and invest the best of their abilities into the actualisation of the government’s priorities.
Recall that there have been calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
President Tinubu’s cabinet continues to surpass that of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed 43 ministers during his second term.
This expansion comes amid ongoing criticisms regarding the need to streamline government operations and reduce expenses.
Under Nigerian law, the president is mandated to appoint at least one minister from each of the country’s 36 states, contributing to the cabinet’s size.
As of now, Tinubu has not yet appointed a primary minister for petroleum, although he has two junior ministers overseeing the sector.
…FEC scraps Niger Delta, Sports ministries, establishes regional development
In the same vein, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has officially abolished the Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs and Sports during a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a strategic move, the council announced the reinstatement of the National Sports Commission, which will assume the responsibilities previously held by the now-defunct Sports Ministry.
Additionally, the newly created Ministry of Regional Development will oversee all regional development commissions across the country, including the Niger Delta Development Commission and others.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, detailed the changes in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
He stated, “President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council have scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. There will now be a Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all the regional development commissions.”
He added, “The National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports. The FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.”
…No basis for scrapping — Clark rejects dissolution of N’Delta Affairs Ministry
In a related development, Chief Edwin Clark has voiced strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, calling the move surprising and unfounded.
In a telephone interview, he stressed the ministry’s vital role in addressing the developmental and security challenges faced by the Niger Delta region.
Clark recalled that the ministry was established under former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to facilitate peace and development in the area.
“There’s no basis for scrapping it,” he stated, emphasising its importance in managing ongoing projects that address the region’s unique needs.
He criticised the federal government for lacking a comprehensive development plan following the ministry’s dissolution.
“Why would you take over a ministry without any development plans, funding, or concrete actions?” he asked, pointing out that critical infrastructure projects, such as the East-West Road, have been reassigned without adequate attention to the region.
As the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Clark highlighted the necessity of maintaining special arrangements for the Niger Delta, especially as other regions set up their own development commissions.
He expressed concerns about governance fragmentation and whether the complexities of these arrangements are fully understood by the government.
Reflecting on past discussions during the 2014 National Conference, Clark lamented the failure to implement agreements aimed at increasing revenue allocations to the regions and establishing funds for post-Boko Haram development.
He asserted that the Niger Delta and South-South regions must be consulted on decisions impacting their development.
Clark warned that the government’s actions could be perceived as attempts to divert resources from local needs, emphasising that any decision to eliminate regional initiatives must include a clear replacement plan. “We will not allow it to be scrapped,” he declared, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in managing regional development.
…Onoh, Omokri commend Tinubu’s over appointment of Ojukwu as Foreign Affairs Minister
Meanwhile, former campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu in the South East, Dr. Josef Onoh and Pastor Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, have both lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Iyom Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
In separate statements on Wednesday, both Onoh and Omokri congratulated Ojukwu, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and daughter of the late Chief C.C. Onoh, former Governor of Old Anambra State.
Josef Onoh, Bianca’s brother, praised her appointment as a testament to the Onoh family legacy. He expressed confidence that their late parents and Bianca’s late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, would be proud of her achievements.
“My sister has demonstrated resilience and strength, keeping the flag flying to sustain her husband’s legacy. I congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment and wish her a successful tenure,” Onoh stated.
Reno Omokri took to Facebook to commend Ojukwu, calling her appointment “a round peg in a round hole.” He highlighted her elegance and commitment to Nigeria’s foreign relations, stating, “Congratulations, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”
