Crisis in President Tinubu’s team over appointments

Adebayo Obajemu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have won the election, but governing is proving more herculean that envisaged, because of the complexity of the challenges of hangovers from the Buhari era.

Apart from the potential revolt by members-elect of the national assembly over its leadership, against party zoning formula, staring the president in the face is how to assemble a cabinet to work with him to realize his vision of making the country to work again after almost eight years of near inertia.

Competent sources hinted that President Tinubu has not been forthcoming regarding the names of people that will make his cabinet. Even his retinue of aides and political hangers-on, who are keen on making the list are not too sure since the president has kept the would – be appointees close to his chest. Although, some of his aides have guaranteed jobs, the levels and placements are proving challenging as Tinubu is being compelled to consider national spread.

Following his declaration and subsequent swearing-in, many individuals and groups have reportedly begun to lobby for appointments in the administration. Key names have propped up and attached to certain positions probably on account of important roles they played in the emergence of the president, or probably on account of their closeness to the president.

Ordinarily, there are, at least certain key positions, which do not need the imprimatur of the National Assembly which a new president should make in the first few days, such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff and presidential spokespersons. Last week he announced some appointments into the positions of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Protocol and Chief of Staff, but one of the most critically expected, the spokespersons, remain vacate.

With the exception of the appointment of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as his Chief of Staff, the other two appointments – that of SGF and Chief of Protocol surprised many a political watcher; and sent shivers and anxiety into the spines of close aides and political associates, who played a role in Tinubu coming to power.

With these first state house appointments of Prince Adedamilotun Aderemi as his personal assistant, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as his chief of staff, and Victor Adeleke as his state chief of protocol, and George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Tinubu administration may have proved analysts wrong, who had hitherto zeroed in on the SGF as a contest among three key contenders- former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Bagudu ,who was former Kebbi State governor and former governor Aminu Masari of Katsina.

Until the announcement of the Speaker as Chief of Staff, two other names popped up in persons of former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Mr James Faleke, a federal lawmaker from Lagos. Fashola was said to have switched to Buhari, while Faleke is considered lightweight for the position.

Competent sources said all the names being mentioned by analysts as likely to make the list may not get it. For example, it was widely touted that the former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi may be given the External Affairs portfolio. That too remain in the realm of conjectures.

Though as it has been the norm since the return of democracy in 1999, top members of the ruling party, who lost governorship election in their states are usually compensated with ministerial appointments and this may also play out in the unfolding Tinubu government. But, this too is not cast in stone given the feelers coming from Tinubu’s antecedent.

For example, no one thought he would not pick either El-Rrufai or former Kano State governor, Umar Ganduje for vice presidential position, but in a move that came as a surprise to APC top guns, analysts and even close aides, he settled for Shettima, a Kanuri and former governor of Borno.

There is apprehension among key figures in his Campaign Council. For example, what becomes of Festus Keyamo, especially in the face of growing closeness of James Ibori to Tinubu given that only one ministerial position will go to Delta State? What of other professionals that served in the Council like Mr. Bayo Onanuga and Mr. Dele Alake and Femi Fani Kayode? It was hinted last week that Alake, presently speaking for the government, has rejected the post of spokesperson for the president, preferring instead, information minister, which may affect, which may constrain Tinubu options for the state, as each state is entitled to only one ministerial slot.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that all the names being peddled for appointments in the Tinubu administration remained in the realm of speculation. The presidential dilemma of naming his cabinet may have caused delay in making public the list given the huge number of political IOUs on the neck of the president from El-Rufai to Ganduje to other key political actors, who smoothed the path for Tinubu’s victory.

Even the naming of his media team has also proved difficult given the number of media professionals involved. The battle is between Lake and Onanuga. Competent sources said the delay in Governor Sanwoolu naming his cabinet may be due to the need for him to give appointments to the aggrieved elements arising from the fall out once Tinubu makes public his cabinet and other positions in the MDAs. Yet, there are other pressures from various groups making different demands on the president.

On their own, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has enjoined the president Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to concede 50 percent of political appointments to Nigerian women.

The group also congratulated Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima on their victory at the presidential election. The national president of FOMWAN, Hajia Rafiah Sanni, conveyed the group’s message to Tinubu in a statement made available to journalists. Tinubu had campaigned on recognition and empowerment of women and now he has to walk the talk.

Competent sources hinted that el-Rufai’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and Islamic agenda comment last week was to sound a note of warming to Tinubu of the capacity of those of the northern governors, who helped him to power to exert damage in the system should he refuse to look their way in key appointments.