Why Agriculture, Power Ministers Were Sacked – Presidency
The presidency has adduced poor performance and the desire to reinvigorate governance for the sack of the two ministers that lost their positions in Wednesday’s minor cabinet reshuffle.
Both Mohammed Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Sale Mamman, Minister of Power were relieved of their positions on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after its weekly meeting.
The presidency in a statement by the special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said the two were removed after a critical assessment of the cabinet members in relation to the nine priority areas of government for the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari in office.
The current cabinet was sworn in Wednesday 21st August 2019 after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from the first term in Office and to emphasise the nine priority areas of government for the second term.
Adesina stated that the presidency has always embraced a tradition of subjecting projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats.
He said,”‘Two years and some months into the second term, these significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians”.
He noted that President Buhari commends the cabinet for demonstrating unparalleled resilience that helped the government to navigate the disruption to global systems and governance occasioned by the emergence of COVID-19 shortly after the inauguration. The weekly Federal Executive Council meetings were not spared because the traditional model was altered.
“As we are all aware, change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavour and as this administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, I have found it essential to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements’ the statement noted.
The statement which noted that the cabinet changes will mark the beginning of a continuous process said the outcome of the review informed the approval of the removal of both Mohammed Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Engr. Sale Mamman, Minister of Power.
It also notes the redeployment of Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment, to assume office as the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development and Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of State, Works & Housing to assume office as the Minister of Power pending the appointment of substantive nominations for the vacant positions.
Nigerians had expected the change of the cabinet owing to what they described as disappointing performance since they were sworn in.
