Buhari reshuffles cabinet for first time, drops 2 ministers  

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday reshuffled the cabinet formed on August 21, 2019, for the first time.

President Buhari in a statement at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, revealed that Mohammed Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Engr. Sale Mamman, Minister of Power, have been sacked and are vacating the cabinet.

The president disclosed that Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment, has been redeployed to the office of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of State, Works and Housing, redeployed as the Minister of Power.

President Buhari explained that the changes have become necessary because of the “tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review” through sector reporting during Cabinet meetings and at retreats. The president added that “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.”

President Buhari in his statement at the FEC meeting on Wednesday highlighted that the current Federal Executive Council was sworn-in on Wednesday, 21^st August 2019, after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from his first term in Office and to emphasise the 9 priority areas of government for the second term.

He noted that two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting government projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review has taken firm roots through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats.

According to President Buhari, “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 commended 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 inauguration. “The weekly Federal Executive Council meetings were not spared because the traditional mode was altered,” he said.

The president stated that change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavour, adding that as the administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, he found it essential to reinvigorate the cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.

“Accordingly, a few cabinet changes, marking the beginning of a continuous process, have been approved. “They are as follows:

“Ministers Leaving the Cabinet: Mohammed Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and  Engr. Sale Mamman, Minister of Power.

 “Redeployment: Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment, to assume office as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of State, Works and Housing assume office as the Minister of Power.

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The president said that in due course, substantive nominations will be made to fill the consequential vacancies in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.

“I have personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation.

“Today, effectively marks their last participation in the Federal Executive Council deliberations and I wish them the best in all future endeavours.

“Finally, I wish to reiterate once more, that this process shall be continuous.

“I thank you all and May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” President Buhari said.