In a bold statement on Saturday, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss additional ministers from his cabinet who he claims are failing to perform. Ndume commended Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle as a “masterstroke” but insisted that more change is needed to bolster effective governance.
The senator hailed Tinubu’s decision to establish a Ministry of Regional Development, designed to oversee Nigeria’s regional commissions, as a sign of a government focused on efficiency and reducing the cost of governance. However, he was equally emphatic about his belief that some ministers remain “missing in action.”
Alongside calls for further cabinet restructuring, Ndume also encouraged Tinubu to advance his de-dollarisation agenda by positioning Nigeria for BRICS membership, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Such a move, he argued, would benefit Nigerian importers, particularly those trading with China, by reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar and alleviating pressure on the naira.
Ndume further urged Tinubu to convene a national economic conference, recommending that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the National Economic Adviser, and leading Nigerian economists come together to craft local solutions for economic challenges.
Meanwhile, not all share Ndume’s optimism. Former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant Chief Charles Udeogaranya criticised the cabinet reshuffle, calling it “misdirected.” He argued that the changes were unlikely to produce economic gains, suggesting instead that Tinubu overhaul his economic team. “If the President truly desires a better economy for Nigeria and Nigerians,” Udeogaranya said, “fresh leadership is essential.”
As Tinubu’s administration faces growing scrutiny, calls from both sides of the political spectrum underscore a pressing desire for effective governance and economic recalibration.
