Since President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle was announced, reactions have been swift, particularly regarding the rebranding of the Niger Delta Ministry. The Federal Government clarified that the ministry has not been abolished but has undergone a name change, a statement that has sparked controversy.
Elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, voiced his discontent, insisting that the people of the Niger Delta would not accept the decision without a proper explanation. He called on President Tinubu to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s renaming and alleged that there are intentions to use the South-South region’s resources to finance other zonal development commissions.
In a significant reshuffle, six ministers were dismissed, while ten others were redeployed. As part of his strategy to expedite the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu nominated seven new ministers, including Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Their nominations have been forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation.
Additionally, Shehu Dikko has been appointed as chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), overseeing the activities of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development, which was also scrapped alongside the Niger Delta Development Ministry. The president’s appointments included two former ministers from the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.