“Nigerians Expect Much from Tinubu’s Team,” Says Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu

Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, the Patron of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Vanguard, shared his thoughts on governance in Ekiti, President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, and the challenges facing the administration in an interview. Here are some key points from the interview:

**Expectations from the New Ministers:** Osinkolu expressed the expectation that the newly sworn-in members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) should deliver democracy dividends to the people. He emphasized the need for them to bring a positive change to governance, focusing on prosperity and addressing issues such as corruption, insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping. He called for a Nigeria where local oil refineries can operate without disruption, where youths are productive, and where basic necessities like fuel and food are affordable.

**Competence of the New Ministers:** Osinkolu praised the competence of the majority of the new ministers, describing them as accomplished politicians, technocrats, and bureaucrats with a track record of success in their past roles. He mentioned examples of ministers who had performed well in their previous positions, highlighting their potential to make a positive impact.

**Size of the Government:** Osinkolu disagreed with the notion that President Tinubu’s government is over-bloated with its 48 ministers. He argued that with over 200 million people and over 200 ethnic groups in Nigeria, this number of ministers is not excessive. He supported President Tinubu’s approach of streamlining ministries to enhance their performance rather than concentrating power in a few.

**Creation of New Ministries:** He defended the creation of new ministries, citing examples of how it could help maximize potential revenue and growth in various sectors, such as tourism, culture, and the maritime industry. Osinkolu highlighted the importance of diversifying the economy beyond oil and investing in sectors like tourism and entertainment.

**Governorship Elections:** Regarding upcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo States, Osinkolu did not delve into the details but mentioned that continuity in governance has brought benefits to Ekiti State, citing examples of infrastructure projects and improved local government autonomy.

**Opposition in Ekiti:** Osinkolu acknowledged the importance of a strong opposition to strengthen democracy but suggested that Governor Oyebanji’s inclusive and fair approach to politics in Ekiti might make it challenging for the opposition to attack him. He highlighted the governor’s efforts to maintain cordial relationships with prominent opposition figures and the appointment of opposition members as Special Advisers in his cabinet.

In summary, Osinkolu emphasized the need for President Tinubu’s cabinet to deliver on their promises, praised the competence of the ministers, defended the government’s size and the creation of new ministries, and discussed the political landscape in Ekiti State.