President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle has led to Ogun State having four ministers, the highest number from any state, prompting national reactions.
During the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Tinubu reassigned 10 ministers, discharged five, and nominated seven new ministerial appointees for Senate confirmation. He also renamed the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, abolished the Ministry of Sports Development, and merged the Ministries of Tourism and Arts and Culture.
The new ministers awaiting Senate confirmation include:
– Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Ogun) as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment
– Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Plateau) as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs
– Muhammadu Dingyadi (Sokoto) as Minister of Labour
– Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Imo) as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
– Idi Maiha (Kaduna) as Minister of Livestock Development
– Yusuf Ata (Kano) as Minister of State for Housing
– Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (Kano) as Minister of State for Education
While the appointments from Ogun State have drawn criticism for lacking federal character balance, Senator Allwell Onyesoh stressed that federal character is essential but not the sole criterion for such appointments.
In addition, President Tinubu has restricted ministers to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys to cut costs. The President also announced limits on entourage sizes for both local and foreign trips.
Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) noted there is no law preventing the appointment of multiple ministers from one state, stating that the only requirement is representation from all 36 states.
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