…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
Some current Ministers serving under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are reportedly actively lobbying to secure cabinet positions when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu assumes office as the next President of Nigeria on May 29.
Ministers Pushing for Inclusion in Tinubu’s Cabinet:
At least eighteen ministers are said to be pushing for inclusion in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
These ministers are determined to leave no stone unturned in their bid to realize their ambitions.
To further their cause, some of them have reportedly sent emissaries to London and France, hoping to exert last-minute pressure on Tinubu and persuade him to include them in the new government.
The Role of Ministers in Shaping Public Opinion:
According to a former Minister from President Buhari’s first term, ongoing political intrigues among the ministers have been confirmed.
These ministers are believed to be the masterminds behind the circulation of unconfirmed lists of Tinubu’s potential ministers on social media.
By doing so, they aim to sway public opinion in their favor and test the waters of public perception.
Tinubu’s Expected Return and Cabinet Selection Criteria:
As of now, Tinubu is reportedly out of the country but is expected to return to Nigeria soon, ahead of the May 29 inauguration date.
In a recent statement personally signed by Tinubu, he emphasized that competence and ability to perform would be the guiding principles in selecting his government.
He expressed his commitment to assembling competent individuals, including men, women, and young people from across Nigeria, in order to build a safer, more prosperous, and just nation.
Constitutional Provision for Ministerial Appointments:
According to Naija News, the 1999 Constitution grants the President the power to appoint 40 ministers, with each state of the federation represented by one minister, along with one minister from each geopolitical zone.
Conclusion:
The active lobbying by current ministers seeking cabinet positions in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s administration demonstrates their ambition for continuity in governance.
Their efforts include sending emissaries and influencing public opinion through the circulation of unofficial ministerial lists.
However, Tinubu has emphasized his focus on competence and performance when selecting his government members.
As Nigeria awaits Tinubu’s return and the formation of his cabinet, the nation will witness the outcome of these political intrigues and the subsequent composition of the government.