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Reshuffling Cabinet Not The Solution To Hardship, APC Replies Opposition
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Opposition calls for cabinet reshuffle under Tinubu’s administration due to economic hardships caused by policy decisions.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the opposition political parties in Nigeria, represented by the Coalition of United Political Parties and the Nigeria Political Science Association, have urged President Bola Tinubu to overhaul his cabinet with fresh leadership capable of easing the burdens faced by Nigerians.
However, the ruling party dismissed these calls, labeling the opposition as disoriented.
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“It’s not just about reshuffling or expanding the cabinet, but ensuring, as Mr. President considers, that appointed officials effectively fulfill their duties for the benefit of Nigerians,” remarked Nze Chidi Duru, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC.
Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardships stemming from the removal of fuel subsidies and policies enacted under President Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress-led administration. These difficulties have significantly strained access to essential goods for many citizens.
Peter Ameh, National Secretary of CUPP, pressed President Tinubu to replace underperforming ministers with competent individuals capable of alleviating these challenges. In an exclusive statement to Punch , Ameh expressed little surprise at the failures of Tinubu’s ministers and suggested a responsible government would have replaced them long ago.
“It’s no wonder his ministers are failing. If he removed fuel subsidies without adequate measures to mitigate the impact on the masses, it reflects the incompetence of both Tinubu’s government and his ministers,” Ameh asserted. “How can over 40 largely unknown ministers make a meaningful impact? They’ve not been delivering or positively influencing lives.”
“We cannot say that there are no ministers that have tried to do one or two things like the FCT Minister, like the Aviation Minister. Most of the ministries are largely unproductive. People don’t want to say the truth.
“So President Tinubu must examine the process of ministry performance. Any of these ministers that has fallen short of some of these performance indexes should be booted out for the sake of Nigerians, for the poverty that people are suffering. If the government is serious, if the government believes they want to do the right thing for our people, you must not keep a minister for eight years like Buhari did and so much suffering was in the country.
Reshuffling Cabinet
“Through evaluation, he needs to get new people on board who have the capacity, competence, and merit to drive Nigeria from this poverty level. If he fails to do this, then the President has failed because it is necessary now that the President sacks and evaluates these ministers and puts new people who will inject life into the ministry.”
Also, the President of the NPSA, Prof. Hassan Saliu, emphasised that President Tinubu holds the authority to hire and dismiss underperforming ministers.
In an interview with one of our correspondents, Saliu stated: “The authority to hire and dismiss lies solely with the President. Ministers serve Nigeria through the President. Therefore, only the president can decide whether he is satisfied with their performance and wishes to retain or replace them. Until the President reshuffles his cabinet or removes them, it suggests he is content with their contributions in their respective roles.
“The tenure of ministers should not solely be determined by how long they have served—whether one year, nine months, or otherwise—but by their performance. From a distance, some ministers have demonstrated commendable achievements, while others appear to be still finding their footing in their positions—it’s a mixed bag.
“Ultimately, the President holds the power to determine their fate—whether to allow them to continue or to dismiss them. Admittedly, not all ministers in Nigeria have performed satisfactorily. While some are making efforts, there are others whose contributions remain unclear.
“Therefore, I recommend that the government should bring in new individuals with proven integrity and experience. Nigeria’s current situation does not warrant trial-and-error appointments but demands raising the standard for ministerial roles and expectations.”
But reacting, the ruling APC mocked the Coalition of United Political Parties, which it described as a confused group.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of APC, Nze Chidi Duru, expressed surprise that the opposition, which once hounded the Presidency to seek ways to cut down on governance could still be talking about rejigging and filling up spaces in Tinubu’s cabinet.
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He said, “I think the call of the Coalition of Opposition Parties is very confusing. I thought what the opposition was asking or what is in fact on the table is to consider how to reduce the cost of governance in a way that is reflective of the times that we live in and to ensure that those appointed in office are in the position to discharge their duties in the particular ministry, agency or department of government that they rule.
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