There are indications that there may likely be a cabinet shake up, following the appointment of a former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, as President Muhammadu Buhari’s new Chief of Staff.
Recall, that the appointment of Prof. Gambari was announced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, on Wednesday, during the virtual meeting to the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
Political pundits are however, of the view that political realignments will definitely play a vital role in the coming days, as per ‘who gets what’, under the new Sheriff in town.
Speaking exclusively to Page 36 via telephone, a Good Governance Advocate based in Benin City, Edo State, Benjamin Gabriel, said that the shake up of the cabinet which may be likely carried out, may not be done out of bad blood, but of necessity.
He disclosed that the likely shake up is a matter of political expediency, to ensure that those who have capacity and are loyal to the new Helmsman, Gambari, are brought on board, in order to actualise President Buhari’s vision for the nation.
When Page 36’s Correspondent contacted an insider in the Presidential Villa, who pleaded anonymity, he confirmed that many Ministers, as well as other Presidential Aides, who were loyal to the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, may lose their job, unless “they realign their alignment”.
The source said: “In politics, there are no permanent friends, but permanent interests. Watch out for a cabinet shakes up. Those Ministers and Presidential Aides who do not want to kowtow to the new Sheriff in town, will be shown the exit door. Remember the Office of the Chief of Staff is the engine room of the President. Prof. Gambari has been appointed to drive the ‘Next Level Agenda’ of Mr. President; be sure he will step on toes in the process.”
Another source from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, told Page 36 that “there may be likely reshuffling of the cabinet any moment from now. The new Chief of Staff may recommend to President Buhari, to sack those who became Ministers through the back door. Just because they are in the good books of the Cabals”.
The source therefore, recalled that the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, had several times raised alarm that most of the Ministers are unknown to President Buhari; he never met them from Adam.
“She once said that the cabals have hijacked the Presidency of her husband. I think Prof. Gambari will do the needful, by freeing his Boss from them.”