Pressure Mounts as Tinubu Nears Final Decision on Cabinet Overhaul

There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu has finalized a new list of ministers as part of a significant cabinet reshuffle. Sources from the Presidency, who spoke anonymously to Saturday PUNCH, revealed that the President had compiled the names of ministers to be dropped and those to be retained, but the release of the list has been delayed.

President Tinubu, currently on a two-week working leave in the United Kingdom, was expected to unveil the reshuffled cabinet on Thursday, a day after his arrival in the UK. However, insiders claim that he decided to “sleep on it,” potentially reconsidering the changes before making them public.

The president has faced growing pressure from both within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to remove underperforming ministers, particularly after the economic challenges and nationwide protests in August. Despite warnings about underperformance, Tinubu’s cabinet has largely remained intact, with the notable exception of Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who was suspended earlier this year.

In November 2023, during a cabinet retreat, the President introduced a performance monitoring system led by Hadiza Bala-Usman, his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination. Tinubu stated that these evaluations would play a key role in determining which ministers stay or leave.

“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us,” Tinubu emphasized during the retreat.

Reports of a cabinet shakeup have circulated for months, but the exact timing remains uncertain. Officials suggest that this reshuffle may go beyond a mere portfolio swap, with potential restructuring of ministries, including the possible dissolution of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

While some have speculated that lobbyists have tried to influence the President during his stay in the UK, a source dismissed these claims, noting that Tinubu’s focus remains on his leave, which includes medical checkups.

The reshuffle is expected to be based on performance reports compiled by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit. As the nation waits for the President’s final decision, all eyes are on Tinubu to see how his new cabinet will shape the future direction of his administration.

Tinubu’s working leave is scheduled to conclude on October 16, with the release of the cabinet list anticipated shortly thereafter.