Former governors, senators, and other influential members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are lobbying for ministerial appointments from President Bola Tinubu.
Some state chapters of the ruling party have already compiled lists of nominees for ministerial positions, while others are still in the process. These lists will be forwarded to the party’s secretariat in Abuja for onward transmission to President Tinubu, who will decide on the shortlist and unveil the names of ministers and their portfolios soon.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari signed a bill on March 17, 2023, mandating the President and governors to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office.
The lists are subject to confirmation by the Senate and state House of Assembly, respectively. President Tinubu, who took over power on May 29, has less than 33 days left to unveil the list of his ministers. There are 27 ministries left vacant by the previous administration, and party loyalists are jostling for ministerial positions.
However, there are concerns that party loyalists rather than competent individuals may occupy the ministerial seats. Some party chieftains, including ex-governors and former lawmakers who lost out in the February 25 election, have been sighted frequently at the APC National Secretariat in the past few weeks, jostling for ministerial positions.
States chapters of APC are also contending for slots as compensation for their contribution to Tinubu’s presidential victory. Some party members who did not win the last general election but toiled tirelessly to ensure Bola Tinubu’s victory on February 25 will be rewarded with ministerial jobs or other high-ranking positions.
However, such appointments would be determined on a quid pro quo basis. Iorfa Thomas, a leader in the ruling party and a former senatorial candidate in Benue’s Zone C senatorial district, claimed that Tinubu will have a good cabinet that will provide Nigerians with the desired level of governance. According to him, previous appointments made by the president are a good indicator of how his ministers will also be appointed.
There are 27 ministries left vacant by the previous administration. These are:
Federal Capital Territory Administration
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Aviation
Ministry of Budget and National Planning
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Information and Culture
Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
Ministry of Power
Ministry of Transportation.
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Ministry of Youth and Sport
Ministry of Works and Housing
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By: Eghosa-osawe Jr.
