Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has concluded arrangements to shake-up President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet this week, with the fate of the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and All South-East Ministers, unknown.
Already, the planned shake-up in the cabinet is causing anxiety among most members who are aware, but not sure of their fate.
A Minister confirmed: “You will notice that attendance at the last FEC meeting was unusual. Almost every council member attended, because they were not sure of what the outcome would be.
“President Buhari and the Acting President have agreed to overhaul the cabinet, and have been discussing on this since Osinbajo visited him in London.
“Let them drop those they want. God will help us. If you are given a job, do your best. So whatever happens, you are sure that you have done your best. I heard the cabinet shake-up will happen this week or next. So I’m waiting for any eventuality”, the Minister said.
An Aide of Buhari confirmed the impending cabinet reshuffle. He however, stated that the exercise would have to wait until the President returns from London.
“One thing I know for sure is that the President is interested in the cabinet reshuffle. They will have to wait until he is back. This is the reason why the two Ministers were not given portfolios. The understanding is that there will be no need to do it now and again later.”
There are also cases of abuse of office by a few Ministers, which the government is not prepared to take lightly.
It was learnt that those likely to be affected in the shake-up include one of the female Ministers. it was gathered that the Presidency is no longer comfortable with her recent political involvement.
The Presidency, has been furnished with reports of her alleged “unwholesome” practices, which the government feels strongly will dent the anti-corruption war of the administration.
Another Minister that is also likely to be affected in the exercise, hails from the South-South. There are intelligent reports against the Minister of State who is believed to be having serious conflict with his senior colleague, a favourite of President Buhari, handling a critical sector of the economy.
It was learnt that one of the Ministers from the South-West, and all South-East Ministers have been penciled to be dropped from the cabinet.
However, a couple of Ministers will retain their portfolios, while one of the Ministers of State, will likely become full Minister.
On the fate of the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, the source stated that the Minister will still retain the Works, Power and Housing portfolio. According to the source: “There are certainly few persons who will not be touched.
“I can tell you that Babatunde Fashola will retain the three portfolios he is holding; they will not be split.
“Most people don’t understand that the only thing left in power is transmission. Even at that, we are going to privatise the transmission. So, Fashola will keep the three portfolios. He is one of the performing Ministers.”
Also, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, will also retain their current portfolios.
While the Minister of Education is considered as highly disciplined and favoured by Buhari, Adeosun is seen as one of the performing Ministers.
“Adeosun is seen as one of the performing Ministers. She has the capacity, and is one of the people that are delivering”, the source said.
On the fate of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), it was learnt that he is likely going to retain his seat, on account of his closeness to the President.
“The President will have to come in, regarding the Minister of Justice, because you know that he is President’s man. Really, President Buhari will determine the AGF’s fate, but I think he might survive the cabinet shake-up, and retain his portfolio”, he added.
