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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, has come out in defense of President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, amidst criticisms over the apparent disregard for the Federal Character principles.
The reshuffle, announced last Wednesday, saw ten ministers reassigned, six discharged, and seven new nominees submitted for Senate confirmation.
The controversy stems mainly from the appointment of four ministers originating from Ogun State, which critics argue violates the principles of Federal Character by over-representing the state in the federal cabinet.
However, Senator Onyesoh, representing Rivers East under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has refuted these claims.
In a statement released on Thursday, he noted that while adherence to Federal Character is constitutionally mandated, it should not be the sole criterion for selecting ministers and other top public officials.
The lawmaker said, “Yes, Federal Character is an important issue, and I am sure the President would not want to go against the Constitution. However, what the Constitution states is that one person per state, so, once that has been met, I am not sure there should be an issue.
“The Federal Character isn’t the only requirement; we need competent people. The Constitution also empowers the President to be proactive, which means he is allowed to bring efficient people on board to do their jobs.
“Why are people so critical of this administration? It wasn’t the same for the previous administration.”
The ministers relieved of their positions include Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Mohammed Gwarzo (State for Housing), Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), and the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, who has been replaced.
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