Headline

Can Tinubu’s Ministers Deliver Nigeria?

Published

3 years ago

August 19, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

On Monday, August 21, 2023, President Bola Tinubu will swear in 45 men and women, who by fait accompli, have been screened and cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate. The soon-to-be ministers will be mandated with the task of bringing to fruition Tinubu’s plans of renewing the hopes of Nigerians, towards bringing them out of the eight years quagmire of past president Muhammadu Buhari, which has inadvertently continued three months into the new administration.

But analysts, stakeholders and observers in the Nigerian political system have argued on the potential of the nominated ministers and the real intentions behind their selection to work in with the Nigerian leader.

A cross section of Nigerians, who had earlier expressed hope at the coming of the ministers, many weeks after inauguration, have expressed disappointment however, noting there was nothing spectacular among the nominees, and wondered why it took so long to recycle the same individuals already known to the public. They argued that it was a list of known friends and loyalists of the president, adding that the president is using sensitive positions for nation building to say thank you and massage the ego of loyalists, who played one role or another to ensure the his emergence at the Presidential polls.

In Tinubu’s list are nine immediate past governors including former governor of Rivers State, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who fell out with his party, and did all he could to scrape Rivers State for Tinubu; a victory that most Nigerians have dismissed as dubious. But Wike has been paid for his efforts, first, as a ministerial nominee, and now as a the substantive Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Wike is seen as a voracious politician, who can hold his own in whatever circumstance either by omission or commission; legitimate or otherwise. It is therefore, on this background that his appointment into ministerial position is necessary, and more important to be seconded to Abuja, where Tinubu failed to obtain 25 percent vote, which many believe is mandatory for anyone else to be declared President. The matter is however, subjudice asnit is being contested in the court of law presently.

Stakeholders have not minced words in claiming that Wike’s allocation of Abuja as a ministerial duty is Tinubu’s way of consolidation should there be a rerun as regards his inability to obtain 25 percent in the previous election.

“It is not hard to imagine that Tinubu needed a strong and voracious politician like Wike in Abuja to consolidate his chances should the court nullify his election and order a rerun.

“The same situation goes for the recycling of old politicians in sensitive ministeries. The reasons are not farfetched; the president needs them to achieve an opportunity to legitimize his government through the polls if the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal should void the 2023 presidential election. So, this list of ministers are not in anyway programmed to resuscitate that ailing economy, but to be on ground for the hatchet job in case a rerun I’d needed. It is not out of place therefore, to say that Tinubu is already anticipating a discrediting of his government another a rerun,” a stakeholder, who craved anonymity told The Boss.

There’s also the immediate past governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, who is said to be the handyman of one of Nigeria’s most notorious leader, late General Sani Abacha while he looted the country. On discovery, Bagudu demanded and was paid a whopping $110 million (N33.6 billion) for helping Abacha to loot the nation. Today, Bagudu is saddled with a sensitive position as the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. No one remembered the part he played in the Nigerian economic woes other than he is a member of the APC and an allied of Tinubu.

According to Nicolas Ibekwe in a 2019 write up, “Court documents revealed that Mr Bagudu was the gas that powered Mr Abacha’s extensive money laundering operations.

“Working with some members of his own family, top members of the regime and Mohammed, Mr Abacha’s eldest son, prosecutors claimed the governor used an intricate network of phoney companies to siphon several millions of dollars from government treasury into offshore bank accounts operated by himself and the Abachas.

“The money-laundering operations Mr Bagudu ran on behalf of Mr Abacha are well-documented in suits filed in the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey, a British Crown dependency in the Channel Islands.

“But what many Nigerians may not know was that Mr Bagudu, who now enjoy immunity from prosecution by virtue of being a governor, was once arrested for his role in the Abacha money laundering enterprise and spent six months in a US federal detention.”

Observers have asked how would men, who are only answering the call of political exigencies, deliver Nigeria from its economic stranglehold or help Tinubu translate his promise of renewed hope to reality having already taking decisions in the last three months that have further plunged Nigerians and the economy into abyss of hardship and suffering.

There’s also the former governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, who supervised the worst form of insecurity and poverty in his state during his four years stewardship as governor manning the defence ministry though in deputy position. Stakeholders have asked what is he bringing to the table other than membership of the ruling party.

Other former governors, who made the ministerial appointment are Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, who was until his appointment, the senator representing Ebonyi central district, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, and Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State. The former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, narrowly missed out, owing to some security reports that proved very difficult to overlook.

A majority of the general public are of the opinion that the list consists of campaign managers awaiting a possible rerun and/or consolidate a reelection come 2027.

There are the appointees representing Cross River State and Delta State, Betta Edu and Festus Keyamo, respectively, who were said to practically lobbied for the positions. What can one do when he has to beg to get a political position. Keyamo, on his part, who was a minister of state in Labour and Productivity ministry for eight years is yet to pinpoint a major achievement of his ministry. His Special Public Works Programme which proposed to engage 774,000 Nigerians, and gulped N52 billion, is still shrouded in mystery and a subject of battle between him and the National Assembly till date. Today, he has been reappointed.

The full list of the ministers and their designated positions are

Minister Of Communications, Innovation And Digital Economy: Bosun Tijani
Minister Of State, Environment And Ecological Management: Ishak Salako
Minister Of Finance And Coordinating Minister Of The Economy: Wale Edun
Minister Of Marine And Blue Economy: Bunmi Tunji-Ojo
Minister Of Power: Adebayo Adelabu
Minister Of State, Health And Social Welfare: Tunji Alausa
Minister Of Solid Minerals Development: Dele Alake
Minister Of Tourism: Lola Ade-John
Minister Of Transportation: Adegboyega Oyetola
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite
Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji
Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy
Minister of Works, David Umahi
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo
Minister of Youth, Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu
Minister of State, Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development – Abdullahi Gwarzo
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning- Atiku Bagudu
Minister of State, FCT- Mariga Mahmoud
Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation- Bello Goronyo
Minister of Agriculture- Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Education- Tahir Mamman
Minister of Police Affairs- Ibrahim Geidam
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Interior- Saidu Alkali
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare- Ali Pate
Minister of State, Steel and Development- Maigari Ahmadu
Minister of Steel and Development- Shuaibu Audu
Minister of Information and National Orientation- Muhammed Idris
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice- Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Labour and Employment- Simon Lalong
Minister of State, Police Affairs, Inman Suleiman
Minister of Special Duties- Zephaniah Jisalo
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation- Joseph Utsev
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security- Aliyu Abdullahi
Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy- Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Defence- Muhammed Badaru
Minister of State for Defence- Bello Matawalle
Minister of State, Education- Tanko Sununu
Minister of Housing and Urban Development- Ahmed Dangiwa

While a cross section of Nigerians have criticized the list in its entirety as an assemblage of political stalwarts in readiness for a political rerun of the 2023 presidential or in readiness for reelection in 2027. Whichever way, it is obvious that this set of ministers may have little or no impact on the economy and wellbeing of the nation and its people.

“The body language is already so negative; what to expect is therefore not farfetched,” an analyst confided.

However, one thing is certain; by Monday, the administration of Tinubu will assume a sort of shape notwithstanding. Nigerians will therefore, have to wait to see if the shape will be monstrous or angelic.

Can Tinubu’s ministers deliver Nigeria? Time will tell.

Headline

2027: Tinubu Wants to Contest Against Himself – Dele Momodu

Published

8 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Eric

Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has accused Nigerian President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, reiterating his earlier warning that the country is finally drifting toward a one-party political system.

Momodu made the remarks during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, where he delivered a sweeping critique of the current political landscape and the growing wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, democracy thrives on strong opposition parties and competitive elections, but recent political developments suggest the ruling party may be consolidating power in a way that limits meaningful political competition.

“There must be opposition politics. There must be opposition candidates, but Tinubu wants to contest against himself and it doesn’t make sense to me,” Momodu said during the interview.

He argued that the increasing movement of opposition politicians into the ruling party is creating a political environment where viable alternatives to the government are shrinking.

Momodu described the situation as troubling for Nigeria’s democracy, warning that if opposition parties continue to weaken, the country could gradually move toward a one-party system.

“A lot of people are worried that now we have virtually a one-party state. It’s a sad day for democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

The veteran journalist and publisher also suggested that many politicians aligning themselves with the government are motivated more by access to power and resources than genuine political conviction. Addressing the president directly during the interview, Momodu said some of those publicly expressing loyalty to Tinubu may ultimately betray him at the polls.

“A lot of people are deceiving you, Mr President. They are going to collect your money. They know you have a bottomless pit of money. They will collect it, but I doubt if they will vote for you,” he said.

Momodu noted that his criticism of the president was not personal, recalling that he and Tinubu were once allies during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle against military rule.

He said both men were active during the campaign to actualise the June 12, 1993 election won by the late businessman and politician Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

“We were together in exile. He was very active in the struggle against dictatorship,” Momodu said, adding that his views about Tinubu’s leadership style developed over time.

Despite their shared political history, Momodu said he felt compelled to speak out about what he described as the increasing concentration of power in Nigeria’s political system.

Looking ahead to the next presidential election, Momodu said Tinubu could be defeated if opposition forces unite around a strong coalition candidate. He specifically mentioned former vice-president Atiku Abubakar as a potential contender capable of challenging the ruling party.

According to him, a joint ticket combining Atiku with Peter Obi or Rotimi Amaechi could significantly weaken the ruling party’s chances.

“If we have a combination of Atiku, maybe with Peter Obi, maybe with Rotimi Amaechi, Tinubu will be gone,” he said.

Momodu also insisted that Tinubu is not as politically invincible as many believe, arguing that unpopular incumbents can be defeated through strategic opposition alliances and voter mobilisation.

“It is not that Nigerians are afraid of Tinubu. Tinubu is afraid of Nigerians,” he said.

He further criticised the administration’s performance in several areas, particularly security and economic hardship, noting that many Nigerians are facing difficult living conditions.

“Insecurity is number one. Poverty has quadrupled. The fuel subsidy was removed and the government says more money is coming in, but Nigerians have not seen the effect of it,” he said.

Momodu added that the government should focus on addressing the country’s pressing challenges rather than concentrating on political calculations ahead of the next election.

“The president should focus on solving the problems of Nigerians now instead of thinking about 2027,” he said.

He maintained that Nigeria’s political history shows that governments that concentrate power eventually face resistance from the electorate and insisted that citizens must remain engaged in protecting the country’s democratic system.

“Any citizen who believes that Tinubu does not deserve a second term should come out boldly and oppose him,” Momodu said.

Source: thewhistler.ng

Headline

UK Orders Airspace Restrictions, Road Closures for Tinubu’s State Visit

Published

4 days ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

Authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) have announced temporary airspace restrictions and road closures in Windsor ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to the country.

Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, will host Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle on March 18 and 19, 2026.

State visits represent the highest level of diplomatic engagement hosted by the British monarch.

According to Thames Valley Police, extensive security measures will be implemented in Windsor during Tinubu’s state visit, including an expanded airspace exclusion zone and a large-scale policing operation.

The castle already operates under a permanent airspace restriction, but authorities said the exclusion zone will be extended on March 18 between 07:00 and 23:59 GMT.

Police warned that anyone who breaches the restriction will “likely” face arrest.

Security operations will involve search teams, armed units, mounted officers, and road policing officers. Neighbourhood officers and Project Servator teams will also conduct patrols across the town to deter and detect criminal activity while engaging with the public.

Officials added that Windsor’s extensive CCTV network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers will also be used as part of security arrangements.

Ch Supt Adrian Hall of the joint operations unit said:

“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing royal events in Windsor, and significant planning and preparation have gone into this event.

“We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries, spectators, and members of the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion.”

Authorities said several road closures and parking restrictions will begin on March 17 ahead of Tinubu’s State visit, warning that motorists may experience temporary disruption on roads in and around Windsor.

Some footways and pedestrian crossings in the town centre will also close periodically between 09:30 and 12:30 on March 17 and 18 for a ceremonial procession.

Headline

False and Misleading: Senator Ireti Kingibe Not Suspended, Says ADC

Published

4 days ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dismissed reports that Senator Ireti Kingibe has been suspended from the party, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Kingibe currently represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC is not aware of any decision to suspend the senator and urged the public to ignore the circulating reports.

Abdullahi emphasized that the party has well-defined constitutional procedures for handling allegations involving its members.

“The African Democratic Congress is unaware of any suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, the distinguished Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

He added that as a law-abiding political party, the ADC follows established internal mechanisms when dealing with issues concerning its members rather than addressing such matters through media statements.

“As a law-abiding political party, the ADC has clear constitutional procedures for addressing any allegations involving its members. Such matters are handled through established internal mechanisms, not through press statements,” Abdullahi stated.

The party therefore called on the public and media organizations to disregard the reports of Kingibe’s alleged suspension.

“We therefore urge the public and the media to disregard the reports suggesting that Senator Ireti Kingibe has been suspended by the party, as they are false and misleading,” the statement added.