On Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Sunday, experts such as Mr. Martin Onoja, a columnist for The Guardian Newspapers, Mallam Baba Yusuf, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), and Chief George Moghalu, founding National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), discussed pressing national issues including the growing calls for a complete reshuffle of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Discussing the performance of President Tinubu’s cabinet, Mr. Martin Onoja said, “”Sometimes, you use Google to look for the names of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because of their obscurity. Largely because of non-performance, lack of action and I believe there’s need for a shakeup of the bureaucracy. He needs to shakeup his bureaucracy as I noted. His bureaucracy comprising the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of the Civil Service, Civil Service Commission, Office of the Chief of Staff. I must have written more than 20 articles on this alone that there’s no coordination.”
Onoja further elaborated on the problems plaguing the civil service, stating that it has become a “bundle of mediocrity.” He emphasized the need for a shake-up, stressing that governance should prioritize competence and efficiency. He noted that political office holders often leave behind aides in the system, further complicating efforts to instill meritocracy.
Mallam Baba Yusuf, former MD of NAHCO, echoed Onoja’s sentiments. Drawing from his experience in the private sector, Yusuf stressed the importance of performance timelines. “In the private sector, they give you six months to deliver, and if you’re not performing, you’re out,” he explained. He expressed concern over the President’s recent comments during his visit to China, where Tinubu showed confidence in his team. “Maybe he’s saying it for face value, but a lot of Nigerians are eagerly waiting for a cabinet reshuffle,” Yusuf remarked. He also expressed dismay over the fact that some political appointees in the cabinet have no relevant experience or expertise, some even having ongoing corruption cases.
The experts emphasized that a cabinet reshuffle is not just about optics but also a necessary step towards addressing Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges. They warned that failure to act could deepen public disillusionment with the government.
The conversation also touched on the recent arrests and arraignments of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters, who have been accused of terrorism, treason, and financing terrorism. Mr. Onoja criticized the government’s heavy-handed response, stating, “The optics are really very bad. People have the right to protest, especially given the current economic hardships and hyperinflation.” He argued that the protesters had not expressed intentions to overthrow the government but were merely raising concerns about the deteriorating economic conditions in the country.
Mallam Yusuf reminded President Tinubu of his activist roots. “The President was in opposition for a long time. He was in the trenches fighting for democracy. He knows what it means for people to fight for what is right in this country,” Yusuf noted. He warned that arresting protesters on charges of treasonable felony could escalate tensions rather than contain them. “Treasonable felony will not stop the next protest uprising,” he stated, pointing to the fact that with a military force of less than 7,000 personnel, the government cannot fully control a population of over 200 million people if widespread protests erupt.
Yusuf urged the government to take a more measured approach to handling dissent, cautioning that repression could backfire. “They should be reasonable and face reality,” he added, emphasizing that public discontent could not be quelled by force alone.
Chief George Moghalu acknowledged the dire state of the nation’s economy and governance when Tinubu assumed office. “I sympathize with them because they came into the political set up when the situation had really gone bad,” Moghalu said. His remarks underscored the enormity of the challenges facing the government, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the country’s growing debt burden.
Moghalu suggested that while the government’s efforts might not yet be bearing fruit, the administration should be given time to stabilize the situation.
