President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, where he fired five ministers, redeployed 10 to other ministries and appointed seven new ministers has raised many eyebrows especially in the wake of the call for reinvigoration of his administration.

The reshuffle has sparked controversy, with many Nigerians questioning its motivations. While majority expect it to be an attempt at revitalising his administrations poor performance occasioned by diminishing hope in the face of harsh economic policies meting untold hardship on millions of Nigerians in the country, the President rather successfully doused an opportunity for a renewed hope breather as many argue that his moves prioritises political interests over performance.

But I will argue differently. Many thought the President would be sacking non performing ministers in his cabinet but he ended up changing the portfolio’s of some ministers that should have been given the boot over perpetual poor performance.

I personally think if President Tinubu’s priority were politically inclined, he would have have had it both ways by retaining people like Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo of the Housing and urban development, who is an astute grassroots politician and diehard loyalist of the President.

Mr Tinubu has severally been criticised for key decisions that diverged from public expectations but one will not expect that the President will gamble loyalty, plus Politics, plus performance over just politics.

Touted as a Kingmaker himself, President Tinubu should be wary of historical Precedents where poor appointments undermined leaders authority and ultimately led to their downfall.

Pharaoh Akhenaten, a pivotal political figure in ancient Egyptian history, known for his radical reforms and mysterious reign and whose enigma has continued to captivate historians and scholars till date, appointed advisors who mismanaged the economy and alienated nobles.

Akhenaten the tenth ruler for the eighteenth dynasty who reigned from in 1353 – 1336 BCE, surrounded himself with inexperienced and loyal advisors, rather than seasoned officials. This led to poor decision-making and mismanagement of the kingdom.

His advisors isolated him from traditional power centers, such as the priestly class and nobles, creating opposition and resentment.

The advisors’ incompetence resulted in economic decline, weakened foreign influence and internal unrest, ultimately contributing to Akhenaten’s downfall and the collapse of his reforms.

While the official performance evaluations used to sack or retain ministers are yet to be made public, it is visible to the blind that certain “power centers” and “nobles” are deliberately being alienated, creating a potential “Akhenaten” scenario for President Tinubu’s reign.

At the time analysts are of the opinion that the President should have considered scrapping the office of state Ministers to reduce the cost of governance and to avoid duplication of duties, it is curious that among the sacked Ministers, only Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo was a state minister.

If the official performance evaluations were of any standard and transparent matrics, I dare say, Gwarzo shouldn’t have been sacked. Together with his senior Minister Dangiwa, they have performed wonders bringing a series of reforms, and developing a roadmap to revitalise the Housing and Urban Development sector.

On the basis of the so called scorecard, Hadiza Bala Usman has woefully failed in accessing Abdullahi Gwarzo’s performance even with his position as a Junior Minister.

Sacking a junior minister while retaining the senior minister raises questions about fairness and collective responsibility. Since they work together, achievements are often credited to both ministers. This move sparks concerns about selective accountability, lack of transparency and unresolved issues. Why punish only the junior minister when both are responsible for the outcomes, what criteria justified the junior minister’s removal, and will removing the junior minister truly address the underlying problems if any at all?

Abdullahi Gwarzo, a devoted loyalist of President Tinubu, has a notable political background. He was the Action Congress of Nigeria’s gubernatorial candidate in 2011 and previously served as Deputy Governor of Kano state from 2007 to 2011. During his tenure, he oversaw the state’s water resources ministry, earning him the nickname “Ruwa Baba” (meaning “Water Father” in Hausa). President Tinubu would affectionately chant “Ruwa Baba” whenever they met at functions, showcasing their close relationship and mutual regard.

This is a man who from time immemorial is always at the forefront of defending the interest of the president even to the detriment of his own interest and ambition. It is on record that the National leader of the Kwankwasiya movement in Kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ferociously fought his senatorial ambition because he did the bidding of Tinubu during the APC primaries that produced Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Abdullahi Gwarzo’s contribution to Tinubu’s emergence cannot be overemphasised, he delivered not only his polling unit but his local government to the President unlike his replacement, Yusuf Ata who lacks an iota of political clout or competence.

If the President aims to balance appointments for political correctness and give Kano Central a fair chance, he should recognize that key positions are already held by individuals from Kano Central.

The Director General of National Productivity Centre Baffa Babba Danagundi who is also a grassroots mobilizer is from Kano Central, the Special Adviser to the President Sen. Bashir Garba Mohammed Lado is also from the Kano Central and the Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University Kano who was also the governorship flagbearer of the APC in 2023 Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna is also from Kano Central.

Given Kano’s significance as Nigeria’s largest populated state, contributing substantially to the country’s economy and employment, and its historical importance as a major political and trade hub, the President should know that Kano deserves more than Ogun from him.

By political calculation, Kano Central is the weak zone of the APC, even if the entire APC members converge at Kano Central, it will be hard for them to checkmate or defeat Kwankwaso. That’s the NNPP stronghold in Kano and Kwankwaso’s strength since 2011.

It is not to late for the President to reconsider this decision as there is no tangible reason to convince Nigerians and the people of Kano on why Abdullahi Gwarzo was removed as a Minister of the Federal Republic.

What happened to an ACN loyalist and disciple of the Tinubu School of Thought will only discourage other loyalists from standing firmly with sincerity on the mandate of President Tinubu.

The President has a crucial opportunity to debunk the notion that the Yoruba people are untrustworthy by rewarding the unwavering loyalty of a devoted follower. This move would not only demonstrate his commitment to honoring loyalty but also challenge prevailing stereotypes about the Yoruba community’s trustworthiness. By doing so, the President can foster greater unity, understanding and inclusivity within the nation.

Or better still, even if for selfish interest, the President should be wary that by alienating people like Gwarzo in his administration, a potential “Akhenaten” scenario looms.

Kayode Abdulrazag writes from Sabo Yaba, Lagos.

Finally, the much anticipated cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came, resulting in the sacking of five Ministers, appointing seven and redeploying ten.

While cabinet reshuffle is an age long strategy for maintaining leadership balance, addressing underperformance and appraising performance metrics and consolidating hold on power, the downside to a misstep may garner far reaching consequences including loss of valuable expertise and experience, disruption of ongoing projects, demotivation of performers and ultimately ridiculing government image and credibility.

Considering Nigeria’s complex political dynamics, one may excuse why so many incompetent and non performing Ministers in the Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” administration were spared, but it falls short of expectation that loyal, politically relevant and technocratically accurate Minister’s will be thrown under the bus.

For example, while in Nigeria, a Minister of State is a junior minister who assists the minister in overseeing specific department, agencies or projects within the ministry, and also coordinating with the principal minister, other ministers and key stakeholders – ensuring representation of the principal minister in various capacities, I am yet to know the failure of people like His Excellency Abdullah Tijjani Gwarzo, that will warrant him being summarily thrown under the bus.

An accomplished gentleman and astute grassroots politician who grew through the ranks from Local Government Chairman all the way to Deputy Governor, State Party Chairman and Minister and one of the rare political leaders in Kano State that has good relationship with everyone, A.T. Gwarzo’s accomplishments in his ministry of assignment is not debatable.

The man has woven experience and expertise together in repurposing his mandate in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda since his inauguration as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Together with the Honourable Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, he developed a roadmap to revitalize the housing and urban development sector, leading to the formation of four reform task teams in the newly reestablished Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which had previously been part of the Ministry of Works and Housing.

Additionally, they launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates program, which has begun in about thirteen states and the FCT, generating an average of 6,250 jobs per site.

H.E. A.T. Gwarzo led the ministry’s delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023, where he delivered Nigeria’s address at the Ministerial Meeting. He also headed the country’s delegation to the African Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 4-6, 2024.

H.E ATM Gwarzo led the country’s delegation to a bilateral meeting in Madrid Spain with NYESA VALORES CORPORATION S.A on a partnership to develop the Nigeria Social Housing program and the establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs on 8th October, 2024.

He also participated at the Munich Housing Expo in Munich, Germany, on 9-10 October where he presented the gigantic strides in the Nigerian housing sector and called for collaboration with international partners in that regard, with many international companies expressing interest to invest in the Nigerian housing and urban development sector.

He was instrumental, alongside the honourable minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in bringing about the technical forum on the 2024 Review of Compensation of rates for crops and economic trees, the first in sixteen years, which sought an upward review of the rates, the forum was held on 21-22 October, 2024.

As a member of the Federal Executive Council, the Minister of State has actively participated in all council meetings over the past year. He has also represented the President at various official functions during this time.

Furthermore, he facilitated the enrollment of thousands of Kano State indigenes into the Presidential Conditional Grant Program of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industries, and coordinated the efficient distribution of food palliatives through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Again, I ask, with all these accomplishments and more up his sleeves, where is A.T. Gwarzo’s failure?

Notably, H.E. A.T. Gwarzo was replaced with another candidate from Kano, even if this move is dissected through the lense of political correctness, it beggars belief how Ogun, South Western Nigeria has four Minister’s while Kano the biggest political base of the North has only two. Unless there is a “yorubanisation” undertone to this, Kano deserves the honor of having at least three ministers if not four like Ogun. The retention of A.T. Gwarzo and the addition of the new candidate. This in my opinion would have been the best option for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While arguments of marginalisation is rife in the light of the debate that the State Minister for Housing is from Kano North where Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje hails from, it is also arguable that the Jigawa ministerial nominee from Babura is from the same local government with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, thus, where delivery, loyalty and value is requisite, such arguments cannot hold water.

Granted that Ministerial sack or cabinet reshuffle is a prerogative of the President, he owes Nigerians an explanation as to why the absence of failure is being penalised. His Special Adviser on Policy Coordination Hadiza Bala Usman aka “head girl” can do this on his behalf.

While at it, the internal working mechanisms of the President should understand that A.T. Gwarzo is not just a man representing Kano North, he is a household name that represents Kano, North West and by extension Northern Nigeria. The former ACN governorship candidate has an unrivaled acceptance in the nook and cranny of Kano and the North, so relegating his representation and value to Kano North alone is arrantly ridiculous.

This is a man who from time immemorial is always at the forefront of defending the interest of the president even to the detriment of his own interest and ambition. It is on record that the National leader of the Kwankwasiya movement in Kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ferociously fought his senatorial ambition because he did the bidding of Tinubu during the APC primaries that produced Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

If one must talk about performance, as a state minister, A.T. Gwarzo is sterling in comparison to people like Ibrahim Geidam, the retained minister of police affairs.

Again I ask, where is A.T. Gwarzo’s failure and why was he affected? Even though I have it on authoritative grounds that he was removed due to sectional arguments raised by the Deputy President of the Senate, which ended up convincing President Tinubu, I like to think that his independent mind must have told him by now that he made the wrong move.

This is definitely one of the wrong calculations made by President Tinubu and he should make no mistakes about it, “Ruwa Baba” as he is popularly called is very much loved and revered by the people of Kano State. He is a grassroots politician of note whose visibility is all over Kano State not restricted to a Senatorial District.

President Tinubu can do better by appointing Yusuf Ata without sacking Abdullahi Gwarzo. For the umpteenth time, with its indisputable contribution to Tinubu’s emergence, Kano deserves the same honor as Ogun.

We therefore beseech President Tinubu to recant on Gwarzo’s sack and reconsider recalling him with immediate effect. By doing so, Tinubu will not be the first leader to recall a valuable appointee.

During World War II, Winston Churchill, Britain’s Prime Minister, sacked his trusted ally and friend, Lord Beaverbrook, from his position as Minister of Aircraft Production in 1941 over policy disagreement and personality clashes. Beaverbrook advocated for prioritizing aircraft production over other war efforts and his demanding nature conflicted with other cabinet members.

However, upon realising that Aircraft production declined significantly after Beaverbrook’s departure, Churchill recognized Beaverbrook’s exceptional organizational skills and leadership and 1942, Churchill reappointed Beaverbrook as Minister of Supply, leveraging his expertise.

Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte once briefly exiled Marshal Davout during the French Revolutionary Wars due to perceived disloyalty. Recognizing Davout’s military genius, Napoleon reinstated him, leading to crucial victories.

Modern-day applications of rehiring valuable individuals can be seen in various sectors; in business, companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft have rehired former employees or executives, leveraging their expertise and institutional knowledge. Similarly, politicians like US President Joe Biden have reappointed experienced officials, such as Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary, to tackle complex economic challenges.

This strategy fosters continuity, stability and innovation. It ensures leaders prioritize talent, expertise and results, driving success in diverse fields enabling them to acknowledge and understand the importance of surrounding themselves with valuable individuals.

It also demonstrates examples of leaders recognizing and correcting mistakes, prioritizing effectiveness over personal differences.

While Tinubu must have definitely misfired in sacking T. Gwarzo, like other great leaders of his, we urge the President to recant and re-appointed the man whose performance is largely perceived by the general public and his constituents failure of which may affect the APC’s electoral prospects in upcoming polls.

It is still not too late for the President to reverse his decision in the interest of the people and his future in the politics of Kano. I dare say, H.E. A.T. Gwarzo has no failure.

Adnan Mukhtar is a political commentator and university lecturer. He writes from Abuja.

By Yusuf Muhammad Kawu

Dear President Tinubu,

I am writing to you regarding the future of the girls and young women who suffered horrific abuses in Boko Haram captivity in north-east Nigeria. After they left Boko Haram, many endured further suffering in unlawful military detention. Survivors are now left without adequate access to services. Mr. President, I urge you and your government to take immediate and effective steps to empower these girls and young women by ensuring their access to medical care, education, and livelihood support.

Whilst everyone in north-east Nigeria has been affected by the conflict, girls who became associated with Boko Haram, overwhelmingly through abductions and forced marriages at young ages, have experiences and needs unique to their age and gender. Many, if not all, suffer long-lasting consequences including health complications, lack access to education, and experience stigma and rejection from their families and communities.

Boko Haram used these girls as “wives”, forcibly marrying them, some multiple times, and subjecting them to years of domestic servitude and sexual violence including forced pregnancy. Boko Haram indoctrinated girls and young women into the group’s ideology and forced them to live under strict rules, severely limiting their right to freedom of movement and prohibiting them from leaving the group for fear for their lives. Boko Haram has also forced girls and young women to watch punishments, including beheadings, floggings and limb amputations. Some girls were forcibly converted. Many of the crimes documented by Amnesty International constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Many girls and young women who subsequently escaped Boko Haram returned to government-controlled areas with specific needs. Most survivors interviewed by Amnesty International have been denied access to justice, education, livelihood opportunities including vocational training, and adequate health services including mental health services and sexual and reproductive health care.

Despite some family reunification efforts, the Nigerian government has not taken effective measures to uphold their international human rights obligations to reintegrate these girls and young women. Furthermore, instead of meeting their unique needs, many have been unlawfully detained in military custody in various detention facilities across Borno and Adamawa States.

After years of surviving human rights violations and abuses, the girls and young women Amnesty International spoke with are sending a clear message: they want to rebuild their lives.

Your Excellency President I strongly advice you and your government to take appropriate and effective measures to empower all survivors by ensuring that:
• they have a voluntary medical assessment immediately after leaving Boko Haram, and can access comprehensive and confidential health care services after reintegration;
• they can access government education by making schools across the states and in internally displaced persons camps open and safe, eliminating all costs and fees associated with primary education, and developing programmes aimed at eradicating stigma and discrimination against them;
• vocational and skills training programmes are effective so that they help the girls and young women become financially self-sufficient in the long run.

Sincerely
Amb Yusuf Muhammad Kawu GAS.
Activist, Volunteer, Egalitarian, and Advocate for human rights and good government.