Rejig Cabinet over Influence of Wrong Advisers, Ado-Ibrahim Counsels Tinubu
Prominent traditional ruler and public figure, Malik Ado-Ibrahim, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently overhaul his cabinet, warning that the President is not surrounded by the right people and may be receiving poor advice that could undermine the country’s progress.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Abuja on Saturday, Ado-Ibrahim expressed concern over what he described as the underperformance of key figures within the administration.
According to him, despite Tinubu’s good intentions, many of his advisers and cabinet members are not delivering results or aligning with the expectations of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu means well for this country. But look at those around him. These are not the right people. They are not delivering results. He must refresh his cabinet, bring in new hands, and realign with the expectations of Nigerians,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of economic, social, and security challenges. Although President Tinubu initiated a cabinet reshuffle in October 2024—dismissing five ministers, appointing seven new ones, and redeploying ten others—many Nigerians believe the changes did not go far enough.
Critics argue that some of the most underperforming ministers remained in office, and that the reshuffle was largely cosmetic.
Opposition parties have echoed these concerns. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South said the reshuffle failed to reflect the Federal Character Principle and suggested it did not address the core issues affecting the country.
“It was a change of faces, not a change of approach,” he said.
The economic crisis, marked by inflation, naira instability, fuel scarcity, and worsening living conditions, has further fueled the pressure on the administration. Business leaders, such as Dr. Femi Egbesola, President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, have stressed the need for a results-oriented cabinet that can implement effective policies to revive the economy.
“There is no doubt the cabinet needs a total overhaul. We need individuals with competence, integrity, and economic insight. Many small businesses are folding up. This can’t continue,” Egbesola said.
Religious leaders have also weighed in. Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church accused the President of being wrongly advised and said the ministers causing hardship remain protected.
While some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have praised the initial reshuffle, others within the party reportedly acknowledge that deeper changes may be necessary to restore public confidence.
A senior APC official, who requested anonymity, said there is awareness at the top level and that additional changes could be on the horizon.
Ado-Ibrahim’s statement is the latest in a growing chorus urging the President to take more decisive action. Political observers believe that how Tinubu responds to this internal and external pressure could define the success of his presidency and shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
