Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari may, any time from now, announce the much-anticipated reshuffle of his cabinet.
The president has not effected a major reshuffle since he unveiled his ‘Change Team’ exactly two years ago.
It was gathered that eight new ministers are being considered.
The development followed disquiet in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over failure of the president to adequately compensate top stalwarts in his previous key appointments.
Those to be appointed are all likely to be politicians from across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
Buhari is also considering a proposal to restructure some of the ministries.
Ministry of Transportation under the leadership of former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, may be split. If this happens, a new minister will be brought in to head Marine Transportation.
Amaechi may be appointed Minister of Rail Transportation while Hadi Sirika, current Minister of State (Aviation) may be promoted to full Minister of Aviation.
Police Affairs may be removed from the Ministry of Interior currently headed by Abdulrahman Dambazau.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, may be redeployed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His replacement will step in but continue to report to Buhari, who may hold on to the position of full minister.
Furthermore, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing currently headed by former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, may be split into three.
Fashola is expected to lead Ministry of Works and Roads Infrastructure.
A new appointee from the North-east is expected to be sent to the Ministry of Housing, while an appointee from either the North-central or the South-east will get Ministry of Power.
It is being speculated that the President may give one of the eight fresh slots to APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Reports have it that this formed part of the discussion the duo had when the former Lagos state governor visited Aso Rock villa sometime ago.
Tinubu lost out in ministerial appointments as Buhari selected Fashola and former Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi, his estranged political godsons.
Buhari picked Fashola, who was chairman of APC’s 2015 presidential fundraising committee, ahead of Tinubu’s choice, Yemi Cardoso, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.
Another slot will likely go to former Kano state governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“The reason for this is clear; Lagos and Kano have a population of around 45 million and highest votes”, a source told our correspondent.
“The expansion of federal cabinet will happen, no doubt about this. In fact, it is what virtually every party stalwart has beenn clamouring for.
“And on this issue of more appointments, the president has given his word privately and publicly. He will fulfil his promise”.
Buhari recently hinted about the new appointments, especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.
An achiever, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso if brought into this government, judging from his tremendous achievements in Kano state he will certainly revitalize activities of the Buhari administration. Being an accomplished engineer, former governor of the most populous and enterprising state in Nigeria, former minister of defence, he would readily fit into one or more of the unwieldy ministries under the care of Fashola or any other ministry and perform creditably.
I will always vouch for him.
S Mstf