For the first time in his six years, President Muhammadu Buhari sacked his power and agriculture ministers, a development that surprised many Nigerians.
Sacking or changing of ministers in successive administration was not new.
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During the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo,Yar’adua and Jonathan, Nigerians witnessed cabinet changes frequently with even some ministers shown the way out of their office. The sins of most of the sacked ministers hinged on poor performance and corruption. Other ministers who had political misunderstanding with their state governors were not also spared. However, looking at the high expectations that greeted the Buhari’s administration and the role of ministers in delivering democracy dividends, many Nigerians thought that their scorecard would be impressive to the satisfaction of all and sundry.
With the exception of Kemi Adeosu, the former Minister of Finance, who bowed to pressure and resigned from government over allegation of NYSC certificate forgery, President Buhari has never effected any cabinet reshuffle as it happened in the previous administrations.
Could this be an indication that the president is fully satisfied with the performances of his ministers? If the answer is yes, why the sudden sack?
Nigerians need to know whether the Ministry of Agriculture, under the erstwhile minister, Sabo Nanono,has fared well within the two years he served or not. They also need to know what happened to our power sector in the last two years under Engineer Sale Mamman. Have Nigerians gotten the very best of them?
President Muhammadu Buhari is right to have done the needful by sacking them. Although they must have recorded success, power and agriculture ministries have not delivered the policies expected of them.
Nigerians are yet to know the real reason behind the ministers’ sack. Is their sack based of incompetence or corruption? Whatever might have been the reasons, President Buhari should not hesitate to wield big stick on his non-performing ministers. Many of his ministers have failed to align with his change agenda.
The sacking of the ministers should serve as a wake- up call to other ministers to brace up and help the administration to deliver on its campaign promises in the remaining years.
Ibrahim Mustapha lives in Pambegua, Kaduna State
