The inauguration of 45 newly appointed Ministers of the Federal Republic by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, August 21, 2023 is an indication that the administration is gradually settling down for real business of governance. Their inauguration, three months after the general elections were conducted, is in contrast to what the country had during the previous regime of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose cabinet was formed after six months he was elected president. Three months in the life of this administration under President Bola Tinubu, it has been one challenge or the other, especially the issue of hunger. Citizens are anxiously waiting, especially now that it is confirmed that the five-billion-naira worth of palliatives have been distributed by the Federal Government to each state of the federation.
Some states, meanwhile, have commenced the distribution of the palliatives to reduce hunger among Nigerians. For the appointed Ministers, many Nigerians believe it was a civilian coup, carefully executed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), simply because those also in the saddle are still familiar faces in the polity, some of whom are not in the good books, owing to their antecedents. Yet, such persons were cleared by the National Assembly to occupy positions of authority. Others are of the opinion that Nigeria is going through many challenges, and that let the sleeping dog lie! Nigerians truly, if it were possible, do not need governors as Ministers, especially those who failed in their states having been rejected by the people at the poll before this time, if indeed the voice of the people counts.
The president however, reminded those appointed to restore hope in governance and not to see themselves as Ministers of their own regions, but instead for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The trouble with Nigeria is the challenge of bad governance, laced with corruption which previous leaders identified as the greatest clog in the wheel of the country’s progress that is capable of derailing its growth, if allowed to fester, more than what it is, at present. Successive leaders, even the present administration have also acknowledged this fact, publicly. No wonder, the Ministers were admonished to restore hope of Nigerians in the present dispensation and eschew actions of the past, perpetrated by some disgruntled politicians that dragged the country to where it is today, whereby citizens feel that those in authority are gambling with the future of the country.
With the situation of things already in the country, the new Ministers have no other choice than to do the bidding of the people who they claim they represent, such that justice, equity and fairness will reign supreme in the society. The era of high handedness of the politicians should be consigned to the dust bin of history with what the society is going through, politically and economically. Again, the lack of trust among the citizens for the political class whose words and promises are not taken very seriously remains an issue, except things change for the better. For the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris to have declared that they will not tell Nigerians further lies means that all these years, lots of water may have passed under the bridge in the society from those who pledged allegiance to govern the people with the fear of God and defend the constitution of the country without fear or favour. Deceit is undemocratic and ungodly too, because you need more lies to cover the ones told.
Democracy calls for freedom and liberty of all citizens. It also demands for fairness in dealing with everyone, no matter how lowly or highly placed, not minding the situations, circumstances, and who is in power. Anything other than this is lip service to the word “democracy”, in every sense. In our candid opinion, the new Ministers should be wary at this time of our political history. Those who are given to talking tough should remember that it is a privilege and not a right to be called out to serve at this auspicious time. Things are not the way they were in the past. The mood of the country too is different and should be a lesson for all, because people are aware of what is happening in the political space at home and abroad. Therefore, the people’s trust must be earned. Enough of this gambling with the destiny of the people and the country. Allow your job to speak for you. That is what Nigerians want!