Tinubu Initiates Pre-Swearing-In Cabinet Shuffle Just Hours Before Inauguration
In an unprecedented move, President Bola Tinubu has conducted a minor cabinet reshuffle less than 24 hours before the scheduled swearing-in of newly appointed ministers.
Nigeria is witnessing an unusual alteration in cabinet composition even before the ministerial appointees officially assume their roles.
Speculations are rife regarding the sudden cabinet reshuffle, especially concerning the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, following concerns expressed by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) about potential discontent within the oil-rich region.
Although Tinubu announced the allocation of ministerial nominees, he remained silent about the Niger Delta Affairs ministry, leading to speculation that he might be considering disbanding the ministry.
In this reshuffle, Engr. Abubakar Momoh has been redeployed from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
The Federal Ministry of Youth will soon be assigned to a yet-to-be-announced Minister-Designate.
According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelele, there have been reshuffles among the Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy:
(A) H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola will now serve as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy
(B) Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo will now serve as the Honourable Minister of Interior
(C) Hon. Sa’idu Alkali will now serve as the Honourable Minister of Transportation
Additionally, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now part of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with these designations:
(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources
(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources
President Tinubu has approved the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management to the Federal Ministry of Environment.
These changes are effective immediately according to the statement.