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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned opposition parties for their criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, asserting that much of the backlash stems from lobbyists frustrated over being overlooked for appointments.
In an interview with The PUNCH, APC National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, praised Tinubu for making the bold decision to restructure his cabinet, a move that saw the removal of five ministers, the addition of seven new ones, and adjustments to the designations of 10 others.
Ibrahim emphasized that the president’s focus was on increasing efficiency, not appeasing political factions.
The reshuffle, which included removing Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), has been met with opposition party disapproval.
Critics, including representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), argued that these changes neither addressed critical issues facing Nigerians nor reduced governance costs.
Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timothy Osadolor, dismissed the reshuffle as a superficial move to placate the public without addressing real issues.
Meanwhile, Social Democratic Party National Chairman Shehu Gabam argued that Tinubu’s administration needs an overhaul with fresh, competent appointees to be effective.
Labour Party spokesperson Obiora Ifoh questioned whether changes to ministry structures and ministerial appointments would genuinely benefit the public.
All Progressives Grand Alliance National Chairman Sylvester Ezeokenwa noted that while cabinet reshuffling is standard, this is not the right time for experimenting with governance.
Responding to the criticisms, Ibrahim argued that opposition figures were simply disappointed by their exclusion from the new cabinet.
“I think the opposition is being economical with the truth. Their pessimism is just because they have been lobbying and the president didn’t accept their invitation.
“They were expecting that more of them would join the cabinet just like the man in the Federal Capital Territory. Unfortunately, they don’t share in the aspirations of the party and the President, hence the reason they have not been invited to join the government,” he remarked.
Ibrahim defended the reshuffle as a standard administrative practice and stressed that Tinubu has emphasized clear performance metrics for ministers.
According to him, this reshuffle aims to eliminate redundancies and curb governance costs, as outlined in Tinubu’s broader reform agenda.
“They are not being sincere with what they are saying. Changes in the cabinet are normal. In any administration, you can have a cabinet reshuffle.
“Also, for a party like the PDP in particular, which was known for arbitrary and irregular changes, you will observe we have a semblance of stability during Buhari’s era.
“All through his eight years, I think there was only one minor change and since the coming of President Bola Tinubu, he made it very clear that ministers and appointees are going to be monitored. Everyone will be given a key performance indicator with which he will be viewed.
“The whole idea is to reduce the duplication of responsibilities and, at the same time, cut the cost of governance as the President mentioned.
“I think we should clap for the President for having the courage to call a spade a spade and try to put a round peg in a round hole,” he concluded.
