As the May 29 handover date by President Jonathan to incoming
President, Muhammadu Buhari draws close, indications have emerged as to
the shape and form of Buhari’s cabinet. The Editorial Board of BREAKING TIMES has now presented a list of some
of the likely incoming Ministers and their corresponding portfolios.
According to sources close to the President-Elect, these are individuals
driven by the desire to restore the dream of the founding fathers but
also share the modest lifestyle of the incoming president. Also, it was
gathered that while the President-elect is not going to stand against
the APC that won him the Presidency, he has resolved to pick technocrats
and those he trusts to run his most important ministries.
Petroleum Minister – Prof Tam David West
Tam David West received his higher education at the University of
Ibadan (1956-1958) and earned a BSc degree at Michigan State University
(1958-1960) an MSc degree at Yale University (1960–1962), and a PhD
degree at McGill University (1964–1966). David-West was consultant
virologist and senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1969 and
was subsequently promoted to professor of virology in 1975. It is the
President-Elect’s personal wish to return him to the Petroleum Ministry
where he had served as federal Minister of Petroleum and Energy under
Muhammadu Buhari from 1984-1985. It is said that David West has a
reputation for being incorruptible, frugal, and loyal even in trying
times.
Finance Minister – Dr. Idika Kalu
Sources close to the President-Elect say Dr. Idika Kalu is favored to be Finance Minister. Dr. Idika Kalu
is no stranger to economic issues having been a Minister of Finance two
times. It was Idika Kalu who, in 2005, openly opposed the Paris debt
relief as canvassed by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Education Minister – Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
Bolaji Abdulahi, Nigeria’s former Minister of Youth Development and
later Minister of Sports, may return but this time under the Education
portfolio which is his professional area of passion and expertise. The
tireless reformer under whose watch Nigeria won the Africa Nations Cup
after 19 years and also won the U-17 World Cup left the Goodluck
Jonathan government, owing to his leaning towards the new PDP, the
faction of the PDP, which his mentor, Senator Bukola Saraki and five
governors had formed. Before he became Minister in the outgoing
dispensation, he had served as Commissioner of Education, Science and
Technology in Kwara State and was renowned for the reforms he initiated
in education in the state.
Justice Minister – Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN
Tinubu loyalist, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN was appointed Attorney General
of Ondo State from 1997–1999. In 1998 he became a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006). On 28
July 2012, On Akeredolu was selected as the gubernatorial candidate of
the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State.
Culture and Tourism Minister – Dele Momodu
If there is one man who threw his full weight online and offline behind the Buhari/Osinbajo change campaign, it is Ovation International
Publisher and former presidential candidate of the National Conscience
Party (NCP), Bashorun Dele Momodu. Although he is not a member of the
All Progressives Congress, inside sources favour Bashorun Dele Momodu
for the Culture and Tourism portfolio. With a first degree and a Masters
in Yoruba, backed with his remarkable exposure as one of the most
widely traveled Africans alive as well as the huge respect he commands
in the entertainment industry, the Culture and Tourism ministry, it is
believed will come alive under his watch as Minister.
Information Minister – Sam Nda Isaiah
Nda Isaiah, publisher of Leadership Newspaper, who is noted for his
‘Big Ideas’ when he contested for APC presidential ticket, it was
gathered, may be Minister of Information.
Works Minister – Babatunde Fashola
Outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN may
clinch the Minister of Works portfolio owing to his giant strides in
infrastructure development in Lagos State. His public service pedigree
it was gathered endear him to Buhari who has resolved to ensure key
portfolios in his cabinet are given to technocrats.
