₦airaland Forum

Strong indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu is planning to rejig his cabinet to ease out underperforming ministers.

Tinubu has been facing increasing pressure from within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, to sack ministers some of whom appeared to have been inactive.

The President had last year set up the Result and Delivery Unit, headed by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, to measure the performance of ministers and other top government officials serving in his administration. He warned that any minister or aide that underperformed would be sacked.

Last week, Tinubu replaced the directors-general of the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services after the heads of the agencies resigned their appointments.

Sources in the Presidency told Sunday PUNCH that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent.

The officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter, revealed that some ministers would be dismissed, while others would be reassigned to other ministries for improved effectiveness.

However, the sources did not disclose the ministers likely to be affected.

“What I can tell you is some (ministers) will go. A few will swap positions, then new people will be brought on board. But the President will be focused more on capacity now; on people who can easily add value to his government”, a source stated.

Another source disclosed that Tinubu’s close associates agreed that the President required a stronger cabinet to implement his policies effectively.

The source stated, “The general concern among some of his aides, friends, and even the public is that the cabinet can be far better than this. There is a consensus among his (Tinubu) close friends that he needs a stronger cabinet to push through with his policies. It is one thing to announce policies and it is another thing for your ministers to deliver the outcomes you want. Oftentimes, it is the capacity of your cabinet members and heads of agencies that determines how you will deliver on those outcomes.

If you look at the editorial by Financial Times earlier this week, it was not palatable at all. And what they were saying is that, yes, he has taken bold decisions, the reforms are good, but he has a weak cabinet that cannot help him to deliver on those reforms. That is why it appears like we are wobbling. So, he needs to bring in people with more energy and expertise, who are more patriotic and willing to roll up their sleeves and work for Nigeria and turn things around.

“If the past one year has not been eventful, he cannot afford to waste another year. This next one year is very critical. It is the next one year that will define the government.”

'We expect nothing good from Tinubu, APC’

Meanwhile, opposition political parties have said they are not expecting anything good from the APC-led Federal Government.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, Yunusa Tanko, the campaign spokesman for a former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said the party was more concerned with improved electoral reforms.

He said, “We are not really interested in whether Tinubu changes or sacks his ministers. One of the major areas we thought there would be an improvement in is our demand for electoral reform. If we have an improved electoral reform, it will inevitably give us a good opportunity for credible elections to take place.

“Sacking or replacing your cabinet with new people is an extension of state capture. He will only be replacing them with his loyalists which we know will be a strategy ahead of 2027. But if he is really serious about improving the performance of his governance at the moment, he can start considering reshuffling his cabinet. Quite a number of the ministers are not measuring up to expectations.”

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked President Bola Tinubu to crush kidnappers or resign.

In a statement on Saturday, HURIWA deplored widespread insecurity marked by incessant kidnappings and killings across the nation.

According to HURIWA, the alarming state of security, particularly the widespread and brazen kidnappings prove Nigeria is a failed state under Tinubu’s leadership.

The human rights group said the current administration’s failure to tackle insecurity is a testament to its inability to effectively address the spiraling security challenges.

The group noted that in over one year since Tinubu assumed office, the situation has only worsened, with kidnappers becoming more emboldened.

“We are at a point where kidnappers will soon be going from house to house or even start demanding protection fees from citizens. This is because they have proven time and again that they can abduct anyone at any time, regardless of where they are in Nigeria,” read the statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, its National Coordinator.

“There is no transparency within our security outfits. Corruption is rife, and impunity is the order of the day among the top brass. The President’s refusal to change the heads of these failed security departments suggests he is either complicit or simply too scared of the military to act decisively.

“If a government cannot guarantee the security of its citizens, it has lost its legitimacy. President Tinubu should, therefore, tackle insecurity sternly or resign immediately, as his administration has failed in its primary duty to protect Nigerians.”


HURIWA also criticized the National Assembly for its perceived negligence, accusing lawmakers of abandoning their responsibilities while Nigerians continue to suffer.

The group expressed outrage that the National Assembly went on a two-month recess despite the worsening insecurity, describing the legislators as “a bunch of gangsters, more like legislative bandits.”


“These legislative bandits are reaping enormous financial benefits while doing nothing to address the critical issues facing this country. Nigerians have tolerated these legislative bandits for too long. They have no vision for ending the insecurity because they are more concerned with their political ambitions, including eyeing the 2027 elections,” the statement read.

Traditional worshippers in Ondo State in south-west Nigeria have demanded recognition for traditional oath-taking for public officers, saying it is more potent and efficacious compared to other faith-related oath-taking.

They contended that over the years, public office holders, after they were sworn into office with the Bible for Christians and Quran for Muslims, indulged in corruption and abuse of power and still go scot-free.

The Araba Awo of Oke Agbe, Ayobami Ogedengbe, suggested this at the celebration of Isese Day in Akure on Tuesday, explaining that traditional oath-taking would change the narrative as punishment would be immediate and fast.

To restore sanity and decency to public offices, Ogedengbe insisted, government should allow traditional oath-taking, adding that in Yorubaland, everyone understands the potency and consequences of violating such oaths.

According to him: “The current system in Nigeria has loopholes that compromise integrity. Our people know that the gods uphold integrity, and no Yoruba person would dare violate an oath taken before the gods.

"This will restore order in our system because an average African, especially a Yoruba person, fears the repercussions of swearing by Ogun (the god of thunder) or other traditional deities.

"They wouldn’t dare swear to something they don’t believe in. Swearing through traditional means adds to the potency of African traditional religion and its practices.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Araba Isese of Ondo State, Araba Folorunsho Adetunji, urged the Ondo government to declare August 20 a public holiday to celebrate the Isese festival.

“Isese Day is a celebration of our origins, showcasing the deeds of our ancestors, and encompassing our culture and customs,” Adetunji explained.

The Labour Party in Bauchi State has secured the highest number of votes in the Bogoro councillorship election held in Lusa B Ward of Bogoro Local Government Area, despite not fielding a candidate.

Consequently, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, declared the candidate from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Lucy Ahmadu Yusuf, who came in second place, as the winner and the newly elected councillor representing Lusa B Ward.

Announcing the results at the collation centre in Bogoro, the returning officer, Daniel Gambo, stated that the Labour Party, without a candidate, garnered 2,200 votes. PDP’s Lucy Ahmadu Yusuf, closely followed with 2,168 votes.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mbam Masoyi, came in third in the election with 275 votes.

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has congratulated former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as he turns 83, describing him as an elder statesman, leader, patriot, and a shining example of service to the nation.

The state CAN chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in a birthday message presented to General Babangida in his mansion in Minna, applauded the unwavering commitment of the elder statesman to the unity and progress of the country.

Most Rev. Yohanna, represented by his deputy, Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim, who led other members of the executive committee, prayed to God to bestow upon him wisdom and the sagacity to keep intervening in and assuaging the difficulties of Nigeria.

"Your dedication to our great nation is unwavering, and we honour your selfless service, which has been a beacon of hope for our country.

“Your Excellency, on behalf of the executive committee members and the entire Christendom in the state, I wish you a happy birthday,” the cleric stated.

CAN also commended IBB for his role in ensuring peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians.

"It is pertinent for you to look back at the tremendous contributions that you made for the development of our dear country, especially your recent support and resolve to champion the reintroduction of Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, in all public primary and secondary schools.

“It is therefore fitting and proper to wish you a very happy birthday and may the almighty God give you long life, good health and continuous peace of mind,” Rev. Ibrahim said.

Responding, Babangida thanked the Body of Christ for celebrating him and also thanked them for their prayers and best wishes for him.

The Nigeria Police Force says it raided the second floor of the Complex of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja last Wednesday in search of some incriminating documents to establish a case against an international “subversive” element who is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday that the August 7, 2024 raid of the NLC Complex had a suspect housed by the labour union in one of its floors.

Adejobi said the second floor which has an office used by the suspect was raided, and not the 10th floor housing the NLC HQ.

"We recovered evidence to prove that the suspect is a threat to the nation, the man is a suspected subversive element,” Adejobi said.

Last Wednesday, the NLC said heavily armed security personnel stormed and raided its head office in the nation’s [/b]capital around 8:30 pm, and carted away documents.

The raid was condemned by local and international rights groups like Amnesty International, among others.

[b]But the Force spokesman said some landlord-tenant relationship was established between the NLC and the global suspect whose syndicate members have been arrested.

Adejobi said the raid was unconnected to the recent #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests.

According to him, the police have embarked on a forensic investigation and the NLC would be needed in the probe of the suspect claiming multiple foreign identities including being a Russian and a Briton.

“The NLC is not the suspect here. We had a target and whatever it takes, we must get him at all means,” Adejobi said, hinting that the suspect travels frequently out of Nigeria.

The raid was not to get the man but to recover certain incriminating evidence and we have gotten what we want, Adejobi said.

The police accused the suspect of “subversion” and threat to “run down the country”.

“We have (uncovered) plans that people want to run down Nigeria. We have (uncovered) plans that people want to destroy our democracy, destroy our common heritage called Nigeria, and we cannot keep quiet…We are getting enough help and we will get this man,” he said.

Facts have emerged how a Nigerian policeman killed his colleague in Lagos State during a verbal confrontation over a fairly used phone.

A press statement issued by the police authorities said it had launched an investigation into the shooting incident.

The statement said it involved police aides attached to a lawyer, Barrister Wale Fapohunda in the Surulere area of Lagos State on August 8, 2024.

The statement reads: “According to a police report, on August 8, 2024, at approximately 10:22pm, information was received from the Control Room that a police officer from SPU Base 10 Sokoto, who was assigned to Barrister Wale Fapohunda, shot and killed Gabriel Audu, a legion attached to the same lawyer.

“As soon as the information was received, the police team left for Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where the suspect F/ No 510570 Corporal Umar Lawal was apprehended, and his rifle AK-47, which he used to kill the deceased, was also recovered.

“He confessed to the crime and stated that he truly wanted to shoot Vincent, aka Dogman, who had engaged him in a heated argument over a used phone he had purchased from him.
“Unfortunately, the bullet struck the deceased in the chest, and he was taken to Luth General Hospital Idiaraba, where he was pronounced dead.

“The corpse has been photographed, and his remains have been placed in the same hospital morgue for autopsy.”

Unknown gunmen, on Saturday night, killed seven persons at Umucheke Okwe autonomous community, in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen opened fire, leading to the killing of the President General of the community, including six village leaders.

A community member, who doesn’t want his name mentioned, said the gunmen struck while the victims were in a weekly meeting.

“Gunmen have just shot dead the President General of Umucheke Okwe and six village heads,” the source said.

The attack took place at the President General’s shop in the community market, where the meeting was being held.

The source further revealed, “Upon their arrival, the gunmen unleashed gunfire, killing all the community leaders before setting the place ablaze. All the community chiefs perished in the assault.”

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as the source noted, “Nobody understands the reason for the assault. No one knows the purpose of the meeting.”

The community now stands deserted, with villagers fleeing their homes in terror.

As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Police Command, through the Public Relations officer, ASP Henry Okoye, is yet to respond to the incident when DAlLY POST contacted, as his phone was permanently switched off.

The Jigawa State Police Command has apprehended 212 individuals suspected of looting and vandalizing public properties in various parts of the state during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdullahi, revealed this information while addressing the press about the security situation in the state. He mentioned that 74 of the suspects have already been charged and taken to court.

The police commissioner stated that he was providing an update on the situation and the measures being taken to restore law and order in Jigawa State.

Furthermore, Abdullahi mentioned that the Nigeria police, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, had recovered 50 motorcycles, 3 tricycles, 12 bicycles, and 9 chairs.

According to him “other items recovered includes 303 bags of fertilizer, 54 Cartons of mosquito nets, two bags of Rice and office furniture”.

"You may recall that in anticipation of the planned protest, series of proactive measures were taken to prevent violence and protect lives and properties. These measures include intelligence gathering and surveillance, deployment of additional security personnel to potential hotspots and engagement with critical stakeholders such as pressure groups, hoteliers, council of Ulamas, youth groups, CLOs, members of ACMORAN, NURTW e.t.c”.

He maintained that “all in that process, we community engagement and outreach programmes, monitored social media platforms, regular operation show of force, monitoring the activities of community leaders and influencers and expanded and all-encompassing town hall meeting organized by the state government”.

"Despite these efforts, on day one of the protest, some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements who are bent on destabilizing the polity, decided to use and engage teenagers leading to violence and destruction of public properties especially at palliative shops Yalwawa, Shuwarin and Government House in Dutse metropolitan”.

He noted that “The teenagers have shown unruly behaviour, refusing to listen to our appeals. They have ignored warnings and pleas to desist from violence, instead choose to engage in destructive behaviour”.

“Their actions have results in widespread destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities”, he emphasised.

He added that “based on the security advice and wider consultation with heads of security agencies, declared a 24hrs curfew across the state on 1st August, 2024 with a view to curtailing the spread of violence and also ensure the protection of lives and properties of the law-abiding citizens in the state”.