As President Bola Tinubu clocks 60 days in office, indications have emerged that he might be without a constituted Federal Executive Council (FEC) till September, leaving a nearly four-month hiatus in the new administration. This potential delay in forming the cabinet has raised concerns and drawn comparisons to his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who took six months to constitute his cabinet during his first term.
While President Tinubu has appointed some Special Advisers (SAs) to manage strategic areas of governance, the absence of a full Federal Executive Council may hinder effective policy implementation and decision-making.
According to the Nigerian constitution, President Tinubu is required to submit his ministerial list to the Senate for screening and confirmation within 60 days of taking office. Failure to do so may result in constitutional implications, including the possibility of impeachment by the National Assembly.
The Senate has been scheduled to go on a 2023 end-of-session recess, which further compounds the situation. Some Senators are considering suspending their recess to screen and confirm ministerial nominees should President Tinubu submit the list in time. Others, however, prefer to suspend the recess to begin the screening process immediately.
As the deadline looms, expectations are high for President Tinubu to submit the ministerial list before the Senate today. His delay in sending the list has sparked debates and divided opinions among lawmakers on the best course of action.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Public Administration and World Bank consultant, Oladipo Adamolekun, has advised President Tinubu to attach specific portfolios to the ministerial list for proper screening. He also urged him to reduce the number of political appointees to reflect the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
President Tinubu assumed office amid high expectations, but 60 days into his administration, there have been mixed reactions from Nigerians and the international community regarding his performance. Some observers believe the ruling APC government has not met expectations, while others see similarities between Tinubu and former President Buhari in their early days of leadership.
