Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has booted two Ministers from his cabinet – the Minister of Power – Mr Saleh Mamman and Mr Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
A spokesman of Mr Buhari, Mr Femi Adesina, announced the termination of their appointments on Wednesday in a statement issued in Abuja.
It was disclosed that the affected Ministers were asked to leave after “subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review” through sector reporting during cabinet meetings and at retreats.
President Buhari said “these significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians.”
He said this action had to be taken “to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.”
In view of this, he asked the duo to exit his administration as Ministers, while he approved the redeployment of two others, promising that “in due course, substantive nominations will be made to fill the consequential vacancies in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.”
As part of the cabinet restructuring, the statement said Mr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, the Minister of Environment, is expected to assume office as the new Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, while Mr Abubakar Aliyu, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, has become the Minister of Power.
Business Post reports that this will be the first time President Buhari was voluntarily sacking active members of his cabinet.
These present Ministers came into office On Wednesday, August 21, 2019, after undergoing a retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from the first term of Mr Buhari and to emphasise the nine priority areas of government for the second term.
In the statement by Mr Adesina, it was emphasised that the reshuffling of the cabinet would be continuous, while it was stated that Mr Buhari “personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation” and wished “them the best in all future endeavours.”
