Amid talks and speculations surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated ministerial list, it appears that he is not ready with even one batch for submission to the Senate. Despite promises to send the list in batches to facilitate the screening process, the list remains pending. Last week, there were reports that the list had been forwarded to the Senate, but these turned out to be fake news. Tinubu is keen on presenting a “ministerial list of unity,” carefully avoiding offense to any section of the country and trying to appease various political interests.
As a result, the list has reportedly undergone numerous tweaks, each time striving for perfection and accommodating new dynamics. For example, Akinwunmi Ambode’s rapprochement with Tinubu has led to considerations of his nomination from Lagos State, displacing Wale Edun, who was initially penciled down for the same position. Edun is now being moved as a nominee from Lagos State to Ogun State.
Furthermore, with the resignations of Adamu Abdullahi and Iyiola Omisore from the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), the list needed further adjustments. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, initially considered as a minister, is now being considered for the position of national chairman of the party. Gboyega Oyetola, another name on the list, is now being considered to replace Omisore, a position he may not be eager to take.
Tinubu’s delayed list could affect the country’s economy, as his ideas require the support of ministers to be executed. Without the appointed ministers, the president cannot effectively implement his policies. As time is ticking, the sooner the list is ready, the better to kick-start the economy and ensure smooth governance.
