Cabinet Reshuffle: Lagos, Kano Set To Get Two More Ministers
Following plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to expand his cabinet to accommodate new Ministers, Lagos and Kano states have been penciled down to get one minister each.
According to a report in Daily Trust, six new ministers will be introduced, while some current ministers may be dropped and replaced. It was also gathered that “disloyal ministers and those with dual allegiance” would be shown the way out, a source privy to the information disclosed.
“Above all, there are some who did not perform and would therefore be replaced,” the source said.
Our source said barring change of plans, the names of the ministerial nominees will be submitted to the Senate for confirmation next week.
The source said the list was supposed to be forwarded to the Senate this week, but the plan was shelved due to the 2018 budget presentation to the joint session of the National Assembly.
Another source told Daily Trust that the President is set to bring eight new ministers into the federal executive council.
“We have been told that Lagos and Kano states will get one more minister each. The two states will have two ministers in the cabinet,” the source, who is close to the Villa, said.
He said one slot has been allocated to each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“From all indications the cabinet will now be 42 as against the 36 that we have at the moment,” he said.
The source added that the nominees have submitted their Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the presidency for scrutiny.
“One of the persons being considered who is presently at the Senate told me that he has submitted his CV. The person is from the home state of the president,” he said.
According to him, some of the serving ministers have been pencilled down for sack.
He also said some close aides of the President may be affected.
Some ministries, including Power, Works and Housing as well as the Ministry of Transport would be unbundled to reduce pressure and workload on the ministers manning them at present, our sources said.
It was gathered that while the ministry of power might become independent to confront gigantic projects, two more ministries, including one in charge of aviation and another in charge of railway transportation might come on board.
Another source said even the ministry of agriculture might be split to have another one that would handle dry season farming and irrigation.
“Agriculture is one area the president would like to live a legacy and he is consulting, seriously consulting to make the ministry work,” the source said.
Recall that President Buhari almost single-handedly formed his cabinet with little or no input from the party and state governors.
This drew flak from party faithful who felt short-changed despite helping to ensure the victory of Buhari.