In a notable departure from the tradition of appointing former governors to ministerial positions, President Bola Tinubu is reportedly favoring technocrats and professionals for his government’s cabinet, according to reliable sources. Vanguard has learned that former governors from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are facing uncertainty regarding their inclusion in the cabinet formation.
The fate of these former governors remains uncertain as President Tinubu seems to be overlooking their aspirations for ministerial roles. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that former governors affiliated with the APC and PDP are diligently lobbying for their nominees to secure appointments to the boards of government agencies and parastatals.
It should be noted that on Monday, President Tinubu dissolved the governing boards of all federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies, with the exception of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This action, according to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, was executed based on the president’s constitutional powers and in the interest of the public.
Ex-governors from the northern region vie for positions, advocate for nominees in MDAs and parastatals
Following the dissolution of the government bodies mentioned above, it has come to light that former governors are actively working to secure appointments for their preferred candidates. A confidential source, speaking to Vanguard, has revealed that the President is attempting to distance himself from these APC leaders.
The source, a former governor, stated that besides seeking chairmanship positions on various boards, the former governors, particularly those from the northern region, are pushing to be appointed as ministers. The source explained, “There is a little crisis in the northern APC; they are becoming a liability to Tinubu. Most of the former governors want to be ministers because they feel they contributed to Tinubu’s electoral victory.”
“Some of these leaders collected mobilization funds from Asiwaju [Tinubu], but now they want to become ministers. Consequently, they are becoming a distraction to the President by insisting on ministerial appointments and attempting to influence appointments to the boards of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Some of them have also approached the President for contracts,” the source added.
However, at present, Tinubu appears to be deliberately avoiding these former northern governors and attempting to distance himself from their demands. The President is considering the appointment of technocrats, particularly from the northern region. For instance, in Kano, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, is being favored over the former governor, Alhaji Umar Ganduje. President Tinubu perceives Ganduje to have lost influence in Kano, while Kwankwaso is seen as more relevant at the federal level.
Nevertheless, another source insisted that Ganduje still enjoys Tinubu’s support and remains influential within the political landscape.
Uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of former governors in the cabinet formation
Regarding the fate of former governors, a source revealed, “In states like Ogun, for example, it is believed that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s alignment with former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the APC presidential primary did not sit well with the President. Tinubu has not made up his mind regarding which faction of the APC in Ogun will produce a minister.”
The source further added, “We have also heard that some former governors, like Senator Ibikunle Amosun, are attempting to realign themselves and make
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