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Tinubu finalises new cabinet list, bars lobbyists from UK residence
Tinubu finalises new cabinet list, bars lobbyists from UK residence
There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu has finalised the names and roles of those who will form his revamped cabinet, PUNCH reported Saturday.
According to multiple sources within the Presidency, Tinubu has completed the list of ministers set to be retained or removed and was expected to release it on Thursday night, just a day after arriving in the United Kingdom for his two-week annual leave.
Amid growing economic challenges and the widespread protests that occurred in August, the President has been under increasing pressure, both from within his party, the All Progressives Congress, and external forces, to dismiss underperforming ministers.
Despite repeatedly issuing warnings regarding underperformance, the president’s cabinet has remained largely intact, with the notable exception of the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, in January 2024.
During a three-day retreat for cabinet members and presidential aides in November, Tinubu introduced a Central Delivery Coordination Unit, overseen by his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman. This unit was tasked with evaluating the performance of ministers and other top officials.
The President made it clear that these performance assessments would determine who would stay or leave the cabinet.
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“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us. No one is an island and the buck stops on my desk,” Tinubu told the attendees.
Nearly a year after the president’s cabinet was inaugurated in August 2023, reports suggested that a reshuffle was forthcoming, although officials remained unclear about the exact timing.
It was revealed that the changes would go beyond a simple swapping of portfolios. Certain ministries, such as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, were expected to be scrapped, while other portfolios would likely be merged or split.
Speaking under anonymity, officials disclosed that while the list was initially slated for release on Thursday, the President decided to “sleep on it” for a bit longer.
“We are just waiting for the go-ahead. All I know is that we are expecting him to send the new names of those he wants to drop and those he wants to appoint,” one source shared.
Another official added, “I’m surprised the list did not come out yesterday. That list is nearly finalized.”
Reports suggesting that lobbyists were crowding Tinubu’s residence in the UK were also dismissed by officials. “That’s not true. Even if they know where he is, access is restricted. He’s resting, and no one can just walk in to see him like that,” one source clarified.
On September 25, 2024, the Presidency confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent, based on performance data gathered by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.
Tinubu’s working leave in the UK commenced on October 2 and is scheduled to end on October 16.
Tinubu finalises new cabinet list, bars lobbyists from UK residence
Punch
News
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
The late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was on Friday laid to rest in Abuja, amid tears and tributes.
President Bola Tinubu conferred a posthumous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in Abuja to end two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.
His body was lowered into the grave at exactly 4:41pm after the ceremony that lasted over two hours.
Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, arrived at the cemetery around 3pm in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Dignitaries were led to the event by President Bola Tinubu. Others are Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and other top government officials and military brass.
President Tinubu announced the conferment of the CFR on the late COAS during the interment at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
The President extolled the virtues of the late warrior, especially his contributions to national security.
According to him, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the posthumous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
He thereafter invited the wife of the late COAS, Mariya, to collect the award on behalf of the Lagbaja family amid applause from the congregation.
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
News
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
His suspicion was on the order of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday evening.
No reason was given for the suspension.
Ahmad was directed to hand over to the Director, Engineering Services in the FCDA.
The statement read: “The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
“According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
“The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, Engr in the FCDA.”
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