Ahead of the May 29 inauguration, a list of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet members has leaked to the media and generated heated arguments in many quarters .
According to a reliable source, “barring any last minute change; Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau seems to have gotten the nod to be the next National Security Advised and Nuhu Ribadu, minister of justice.”
While Tinubu’s cabinet members list appears to be wearing shape, it is gathered that the President-elect has reserved strategic offices like that of the Attorney General of the Federation for his preferred candidate. According to our source, the preferred candidate to occupy the office of the Attorney General is likely someone from the South-West region.
“Nuhu Ribadu is mostly recommended for the ministry of Justice administratively since his background in law and anti-corruption stance seem fitting,” the source also noted.
Furthermore, Hadiza Bala Usman is the likeliest candidate for the position of the FCT Minister, barring any last-minute change and lobbying.
Hadiza Bala Usman is a Nigerian politician who served as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports from 2016 to 2021. She was previously the chief of staff to the Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2016.
Tinubu, according to our sources, considers this profile fitting for the task ahead in Abuja.
The source also said: “There’s no disputing the fact that most of Tinubu’s political associates in the South-West have their eyes on the cabinet, but I will tell you that it is going to be a tough one to predict those who will make it, given their respective pedigrees.”
Making a case for Babatunde Fashola who has been reported to be the favourite for the Chief of Staff position as against initial choice of Femi Gbajabiamila, the source said, “How can one dismiss Fashola, who not only served as Chief of Staff to Tinubu, but later succeeded him as governor of Lagos State, or Wale Edun and Dele Alake, who served as commissioners under Tinubu?