‘There should be no sacred cows’ – Itse Sagay, others assess cabinet members’ performance
President Bola Tinubu is preparing for another sweeping overhaul of his cabinet, with top Presidency insiders confirming that several ministers may soon be shown the door as part of efforts to strengthen his administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Weeks after dismissing the nation’s service chiefs on October 28, credible sources say the President is determined to replicate the shake-up in his cabinet, ensuring that only high-performing ministers remain in office as Nigeria battles economic hardship and worsening insecurity.
According to one senior source, a list of underperforming ministers “is being prepared, and the President will not hesitate to send them packing—just like the former Service Chiefs.” Another insider added that Tinubu wants to present a “solid scorecard to Nigerians” and will not allow weak links to undermine his re-election prospects.
When pressed to name possible ministers on the chopping block, the source declined, but stressed: “There will be no sacred cows this time. Friendship or long-standing loyalty will not save anyone”.
Since Tinubu inaugurated his ministers in August 2023, public dissatisfaction has grown, with many Nigerians urging him to fire appointees they consider ineffective. In June 2024, Tinubu sacked five ministers following a performance review, reassigned ten others, and scrapped some ministries.
Despite the shake-up, citizens say several ministers remain deadweight – an accusation now gaining traction within the administration.
Renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, zeroed-in on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, calling him “an absolute disaster” whose policies have compounded Nigeria’s electricity woes. “He has done nothing favourable to promote power. He only creates hardship and despair for consumers”, Sagay said, insisting Adelabu should be removed.
However, Sagay believes most other ministers are performing reasonably within the government’s chosen economic framework—one he criticises for imposing excessive hardship on citizens. He urged the administration to adopt social buffers, noting that even Western capitalist economies rely on subsidies to cushion harsh policies.
A political analyst, Reginald Anene argued that the federal cabinet is overly bloated, with 42 ministries making governance unwieldy. He questioned the impact of some ministers, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose role he described as unclear.
He also criticised Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar over delays in ambassadorial appointments and the ministry’s response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to strike terrorists in Nigeria.
However, Anene defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, praising his infrastructure drive in Abuja despite controversies. According to him, many residents believe Wike has surpassed former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufa’i in visible development.
On his part, Social affairs analyst Ibrahim Gbadegeshin warned that Tinubu’s reelection chances depend heavily on his ability to reverse worsening poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship. “Nigerians now expect more from the government. If things do not improve, it will be difficult for Tinubu to lead beyond 2027”, he stated.
He added that some ministers are already struggling to justify their positions and predicted that the President would not hesitate to remove anyone jeopardising his second-term ambition.
