Daniel Bwala, former spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign, has stated that only President Bola Tinubu holds the authority to determine the fate of his ministers as the country anticipates a major cabinet reshuffle. This comes after the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu is planning to reorganize his team of ministers soon.
The news of the reshuffle, initially reported by *Sunday PUNCH* on September 1, was recently affirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. However, no specific timeline has been set for the changes.
### Ministers Lobbying for Their Positions
Reports from presidential aides indicate that some ministers have begun actively lobbying to secure their positions in the president’s inner circle. With no clear timeline for when the reshuffle will occur, it has left many ministers uncertain about their future in the administration.
On *Channels Television’s* *The Morning Brief* on Thursday, Bwala addressed speculations circulating about the potential reshuffle. He dismissed the rumors as pure speculation, noting that anyone claiming to know the outcome is merely guessing. He emphasized that only the president has the final say on who will remain in the cabinet or be replaced.
“The president is currently assessing whether certain individuals truly believe in his administration. If they do, they should naturally embody and represent the vision of the government,” Bwala explained. He added, “However, the decision of who stays or goes is entirely up to the president. Anyone who claims to know is simply second-guessing.”
### Tinubu’s Rationale for the Reshuffle
Onanuga further clarified that the reshuffle would be based on “empirical public opinions” and the performance of the ministers since the administration came into power more than a year ago. He acknowledged that, while some progress has been made, many Nigerians are unaware of the achievements of Tinubu’s government, especially in the economic sector.
“I don’t have a specific timeline for when the president will implement these changes,” Onanuga said. “He has expressed his intention to do it, and I believe it will be done soon. Whether it happens before October 1, I can’t say for sure, but it’s definitely in the works.”
### Presidential Spokesperson Role Remains Vacant
The position of Presidential Spokesperson, left vacant after Ajuri Ngelale’s resignation for family reasons, is also expected to be filled during the reshuffle. There have been rumors about potential candidates for the role, with Bwala’s name circulating in some social media spaces. However, Bwala denied having any knowledge of these speculations.
“I have seen the reports, but I am unaware of any official moves in that direction,” Bwala remarked. “Every citizen should support the government in their own capacity, without necessarily waiting for an appointment.”
### Ministers in President Tinubu’s Current Cabinet
While the country awaits Tinubu’s final decision, here is a list of the ministers currently serving in his administration:
– **Minister of Agriculture and Food Security** – Abubakar Kyari
– **Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security** – Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
– **Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy** – Hannatu Musawa
– **Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development** – Festus Keyamo
– **Minister of Budget and Economic Planning** – Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
– **Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy** – Bosun Tijani
– **Minister of Defence** – Mohammed Badaru Abubakar
– **Minister of State for Defence** – Bello Matawalle
– **Minister of Education** – Tahir Mamman
– **Minister of State for Education** – Yusuf Sununu
– **Minister of Environment** – Balarabe Abbas Lawal
– **Minister of State for Environment** – Iziaq Adekunle Salako
– **Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)** – Nyesom Wike
– **Minister of State for the FCT** – Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure
– **Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy** – Wale Edun
– **Minister of Foreign Affairs** – Yusuf Tuggar
– **Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare** – Muhammad Ali Pate
– **Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare** – Tunji Alausa
– **Minister of Housing and Urban Development** – Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
– **Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development** – Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo
– **Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation** – Betta Edu (suspended since January 8, 2024)
– **Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment** – Doris Anite
– **Minister of Information and National Orientation** – Mohammed Idris Malagi
– **Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology** – Uche Nnaji
– **Minister of Interior** – Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
– **Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation** – Lateef Fagbemi
– **Minister of Labour and Employment** – Simon Lalong (resigned on December 20, 2023)
– **Minister of State for Labour and Employment** – Nkiruka Onyejeocha
– **Minister of Marine and Blue Economy** – Gboyega Oyetola
– **Minister of Niger Delta Development** – Abubakar Momoh
– **Minister of Petroleum Resources** – President Bola Tinubu
– **Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)** – Heineken Lokpobiri
– **Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas)** – Ekperikpe Ekpo
– **Minister of Police Affairs** – Ibrahim Geidam
– **Minister of State for Police Affairs** – Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
– **Minister of Power** – Adebayo Adelabu
– **Minister of Solid Minerals Development** – Dele Alake
– **Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs** – Zephaniah Jisalo
– **Minister of Sports Development** – John Enoh
– **Minister of Steel Development** – Shuaibu Audu
– **Minister of State for Steel Development** – Uba Maigari Ahmadu
– **Minister of Tourism** – Lola Ade-John
– **Minister of Transportation** – Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali
– **Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation** – Joseph Utsev
– **Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation** – Bello Muhammad Goronyo
– **Minister of Women Affairs** – Uju Kennedy
– **Minister of Works** – Dave Umahi
– **Minister of Youth** – Jamila Bio Ibrahim
– **Minister of State for Youth** – Ayodele Olawande
As the reshuffle looms, many in the political and public spheres are eager to see who will stay, who will go, and how Tinubu’s decisions will shape the direction of his administration.
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