Intrigues in states as govs battle to form cabinet

Twenty-five days after their inauguration, most state governors are yet to constitute their cabinets, keeping their constituents and other stakeholders guessing on who may or may not get the nod. But people are not amused.

They want the cabinets constituted as early as possible to clear the anxiety created by the current delay.

Investigation across the states by The Nation showed that several factors are responsible for the delay.

These include efforts by the governors to pick the best hands they can get; fulfil the promises they made to power blocks and individuals who helped them into office; accommodate as many vested interests as possible; and ensure balance and fairness in the spread of the appointments.

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State for instance, will have to find a way of accommodating in his cabinet nominations from the Achike Udenwa, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Kema Chikwe’s camps, all of which played critical roles in events leading to his emergence.

The different power blocks are locked in a fierce rivalry over appointment into the governor’s cabinet and other positions.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, said there are no ripples over political appointments by the governor.

Ihedioha, according to him, is not under any form of pressure on appointments.

“The governor is not under any form of pressure. His appointments so far have shown that he has taken his time to select across party divides, those he felt are capable of pushing the agenda to rebuild Imo State.

“We built a lot of alliances across political parties during the election and the governor, in fulfillment of his promise to run an all-inclusive government, will partner and give all stakeholders a sense of belonging.”

Appointments already made by Ihedioha include Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government, Attorney General, Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary.

Gbagyi, CAN demand equity in Niger

The Gbagyi and the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) want Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to be fair in his distribution of appointments.

Various Gbagyi groups say the governor should do the needful by balancing appointments.

They claim they have been marginalised in the appointments made so far by him.

The CAN in particular is not impressed by the appointments so far made by Bello.

The local CAN Chairman, the  Reverend Mathias Echioda,  said the first major political appointments – Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff (CoS), Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of Service (HOS) –by the governor went to Muslims.

This, he said, was unacceptable and hoped that the interest of Christians would be fully taken care of in the appointment of commissioners.

He said: “We consider the most recent development as embarrassing. We consider it to be alarming, to be a disappointment.

“Christians in Niger State participated very well and actively during the primaries, before, during and after the general elections. I can vouch that the level of our participation has never been like any other time in the state.

“If we were that aggressive, if we were that involving, if we were that sacrificial, if we were that committed, if we were all giving to it as we did and it wasn’t a hidden thing that Christians were generally involved in the election. I know how much Christians overwhelmingly voted for the present administration, we therefore expected that we should have our share of the booty.

“That is when you talk of the principal offices, at least something should be given to us because this was part of the complaints in the last administration but to our embarrassment, surprise and disappointment, we got to know that the governor has appointed an SSG, COS and HOS and none of whom is a Christian .

“I can tell you that this is totally unacceptable.

“We believe that this is equal to political robbery and we will not take that low at all because we contributed to enthroning the present administration. We should also be part of the decision making at the highest level in terms of management, policy formulation and policy implementation.”

It is not clear yet when the governor is likely to constitute his cabinet.

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Lalong bidding his time, say sources

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has not made a single appointment since his swearing in for a second term last month, not even his aides.

Sources told The Nation that the governor is bidding his time.

It was gathered that about 10 names have been suggested to him by political associates from which to pick his press aides, but up till now, he is yet to decide on who to appoint.

One source said: “The Gov Lalong  I know is going to base his appointments on trust. Yes, you may be a professional media person but the governor will want to verify how trustworthy you are.

“The governor was disappointed by some people he trusted during the first term and , this time around, what is of paramount importance to him is trust.

“The state is not lacking in good men and women, I mean technocrats and professionals, but the governor is looking for those he can trust and those with credibility.

“This is his last term as governor, and he is being very careful not to bring in appointees that will embarrass government before the anti-graft agencies. The man wants to run a credible government and leave a legacy of credibility.”

Other sources said the governor has told those recommending people for appointment as commissioners that he knows what he wants after having served as governor for four years already.

Some of the former commissioners are said to be lobbying to be reappointed.

‘Abiodun still consulting  in Ogun’

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State is said to be still consulting with stakeholders on his cabinet.

“He is consulting widely. He is working very closely with party leaders and other stakeholders on the list,” an APC source said in Abeokuta.

“This of course requires patience and diligence. He is not sleeping. He is working very hard on it.”

Another source said whatever delay may be experienced, is actually due to the determination of the governor to form a broad based administration as promised during the campaign.

The source said: “Check out all the appointments already made, I can tell you they were all arrived at after wide consultation with and approval of major stakeholders across the state.

“He is not a governor who wants to do it all alone. He recognizes the place of the party and other organs and he is allowing time and chance for them all to make input into the list. This is why it appears it is being delayed but I can assure you the final output will justify the time spent on it. There is no crisis whatsoever anywhere about it,’ he said.

The Nation, however, learnt that the governor may send the list of his nominees to the state assembly any moment from now.

According to a prominent party leader in the state and a former commissioner, following various consultations and inputs, the list may have finally been streamlined to the required number.

“What we had was a pool of suggestions as the governor allowed for all stakeholders to make input. But I think the governor should send the final list to the assembly soon. He has really worked very hard and diligently to come up with the very best for the state,” the source said.

Serious lobbying on in Cross River

Many ex-commissioners and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Cross River State are going the extra mile to catch the attention of Governor Ben Ayade so that he might consider them for appointment as commissioners.

While some show up at state functions for them to be noticed by the governor, others engage in charity activities that can give them publicity in the social and traditional media.

The governor said, while flagging off of the rice wet season planting in Calabar recently, that those to be considered for appointment in his new term would be those who delivered in their polling units in the last general elections.

This, however, does not exactly exclude those who the governor may have in mind as his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) generally did well across the state in the elections.

During his first term, the governor made over 8000 appointments based on his food-on-the table policy: distribution of government funds directly to as many people as possible for the purpose of reducing poverty.

But sources in the state say the policy may not be adopted this time around.

“He definitely cannot even afford to employ 8, 000 people. The issue of 30, 000 minimum wage is on ground,” a source said.

“The local government funds are not going to the state government as it was in the recent past. So, it is going to be difficult going with a large number of appointees and also there are projects littered all over, so he cannot attempt that.

Besides, he has to take his time to get those who would enable him to achieve something before he leaves office. The time for jamboree is gone and now it would be business.”

Ayade also  dropped a hint recently that some of the former commissioners “will come back but not in the same ministry.”

He has retained Mr. Martins Orim as his Chief of Staff and appointed Mr. Godwin Nyiam as Acting Director General of the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT), and Engr. Oxford Egbe as Acting Director General of the Cross River State Development Control Agency.

Clouds hang over composition of Oyo cabinet

With three parties – African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) – all claiming to have contributed to the victory of PDP’s Seyi Makinde as Oyo State Governor  during the last election, forming a  cabinet so early into his tenure is a huge task for him.

The power-sharing formula agreed upon was 50 per cent for PDP, 30 for ADC, 15 for ZLP and five percent for SDP. The sharing, according to the agreement, will be at the state and local government levels.

But upholding the agreement has been tough for Makinde as his PDP members are not dropping their guards at the local government level.

Although they are fully in support of the formula for cabinet and board appointments, the PDP members and leaders are insisting that it will be impossible to allow non-PDP members to serve as local government chairmen.

The situation is further compounded by the fact that members of the coalition are not willing to join the PDP. This has made the implementation of the coalition agreement more difficult for the new governor.

It is unclear if those appointed into the cabinet among coalition members will be willing to join the PDP after a while to guarantee their loyalty and ultimate sustenance of Makinde’s administration.

Within the next few weeks that the governor will form his cabinet, voters and politicians in the state are watching how Makinde will cross the hurdle. His success or failure in managing the coalition may determine what to expect in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

I’ll appoint only the best hands, says Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says he is now free to pick the best hands as commissioners since he is no longer acting at the behest of any godfather.

Only last Wednesday, he received the report of the Iyorchia Ayu-led committee on fashioning out how to constitute the next cabinet.

Ortom claimed that during his first term, the commissioners were foisted on him by godfathers but now he is free from their influence.

It was gathered that he may ask party leaders at the local government level to nominate three persons for him to choose one.

PDP leaders torn apart in Delta over nomination for appointments

All seems not to be well among PDP leaders in most of the local government chapters after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa called for the submission of three names for consideration for political appointments.

The governor recently sent the names of eight commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and approval as members of the Delta State Executive Council.

Also sent to the Assembly were names of 15 Special Assistants.

It is expected that more appointments will be made in due course.

However, party leaders at the local government level are locked in serious battles to get the names of their own loyalists into the list requested by the governor for appointments.

Some powerful individuals are alleged to have hijacked the process.

Up for grabs aside the 25 ministries for which commissioners will be appointed and barring the creation of new ones, are positions such as special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants.

Also, Okowa is expected to constitute and appoint people to man the various governing boards, commissions, parastatals and agencies in the state.

Okowa is also being expected to create new offices in his second term to either elevate some of his trusted aides or reappoint them into their former offices.

It was learnt that the recent attack on a PDP faithful in Sapele, Mr. Godfrey Igbise, by thugs allegedly loyal to a former aide may not be unconnected with the fight for appointive positions.

Another ex-commissioner is said to have incurred the wrath of youths in his locality for allegedly nominating himself for reappointment and hijacking the other slots.

The Nation learnt that many local council areas across the state are experiencing upheavals from PDP loyalists who believe they worked for the governor’s reelection and deserve appointive position.

But in a recent outing, Okowa assured party men that more appointments will be made, adding that appointments will be done equitably.

He said, “I thank God that we have made some appointments recently; we are doing what is right, many more appointments will be done and I promise Deltans that I will be equitable, fair and just in the appointments we are going to make; going forward, we believe and rely on the guidance of God.”

“More appointments will be made, we ask for the continuous partnership and prayers of all Deltans.”

Responding to a question, Delta PDP Chairman, Kingsley Esiso, said while he is not aware of the allegations that party men are nominating themselves for appointments, it is not strange that many are keen to get into government.

He said the state PDP will look into any Ward where such issues crop up, adding that if there are issues in a few wards in 270 wards, it will be wrong to say there is a crisis.

His words, “I am not aware of such allegations, so I cannot respond to what I am not aware of. We have said that each ward should nominate three persons. Any ward where we have issues the members will protest.

“If there is a protest we will look into it. Is it not natural? When we called for the list, it is an open list. We did not specify any condition for nominees.”

Esiso maintained that with 270 wards there was bound to be issues in a few wards for which internal mechanism within the PDP exist to deal with.

He assured Deltans to expect the release of nominees stressing that with the inauguration of the Delta State Assembly, the list will soon be made public.

Aniocha North PDP chairman, Prince Victor Egbune, also denied pressure from any quarter to influence appointments saying,” I am not aware of any such thing; nobody from Government House has asked me to forward any name. So, I cannot comment. Perhaps, you should forward your questions to the PDP at the state level”.

 ‘Oyetola working on strong foundation first’

The Osun State Supervisor for Information, Mr. Lani Baderinwa, says Governor Gboyega Oyetola has been trying to ensure a strong foundation first before constituting his cabinet.

Baderinwa, in a telephone interview, said: “In the past few months, the governor concentrated more on  the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly elections because of the importance and constitutional roles of their members to the executive arm of government. And to the glory of God, the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, has the majority figure of 23, out of the 26-member Assembly.

“Also, in the last few months, Governor Oyetola has been trying to integrate the state into the federal government programmes. For instance, his frequent visits to Abuja to draw the attention of the Federal Government to Osun are already yielding good results in solid minerals.

“And now that he has achieved giving his administration a strong footing to make him forge ahead and deliver on his campaign promise the next to in line is the formation of the cabinet to work with him to deliver the dividends  of democracy to the people of the state.”

Baderinwa, who enjoined the people to exercise patient with the governor, assured that they will not be disappointed with the caliber of people to be in the cabinet because “Oyetola as an experienced public officer and a distinguished technocrat is well positioned to lead the state.”

El-Rufai in full control in Kaduna

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is also still working on the composition of his cabinet.

But unlike some of his fellow governors, he is not coming under pressure from party stalwarts.

Sources said El-Rufai is fully in control of his government and the party at the state level, and has the exclusive right to appoint his cabinet members.

It was gathered that some of the commissioners who performed creditably well during the first term may be reappointed.

Same goes for some Special Advisers and Special Assistants.

Bickering over cabinet reconstitution in Ondo

Although Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has a cabinet in place, he caused a stir last week when he fired three commissioners for what observers called irreconcilable differences.

Dropped were Prince Solagbade Amodeni, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; Taofiq Abdulsalam, Works and Infrastructures; and Alhaji Ismaila Olurimisi, Ministry of Culture.

He thereafter nominated  Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju, Mrs Titilayo Adeyemi, Mr Temitayo Oluwatuyi (Tukana) and Mr. Akindotun Owanikin as commissioners .

Their names have been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

An APC stakeholder said the governor did not make wide consultation before picking his new commissioners.

He queried the nomination of Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju, who was described as a newcomer to the APC.

Mrs. Adeyanju served former Governor Mimiko first as Special Adviser (SA) and later as Commissioner, a position she occupied till few days to 2016 election.