Bola Ahmed Tinubu is rapidly becoming known for making last-minute appointment changes and reversing policies, which has led to criticism of what is perceived as careless decision-making and inadequate internal coordination.
Many Nigerians are wondering about the administration’s planning because of the president’s vacillations, which include the abrupt removal of Maryam Shetty’s ministerial nomination while she was already at the Senate for screening and the appointment of Muheeba Dankaka as the chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) just four hours after reappointment.
1. Muheeba Dankaka’s Four-Hour Appointment
Muheeba Dankaka was reappointed by President Tinubu on Monday to serve a further five-year term as the chair of the FCC. Without providing an official explanation, the president replaced her four hours later with former lawmaker Ayo Omidiran.
Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, claimed that controversy had plagued Dankaka’s term. The Emir of Ilorin even congratulated her before realizing the announcement had been reversed, demonstrating the confusion nonetheless.
2. Withdrawal of INEC REC Nominees
Days after designating two INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, Owede Kosioma Eli (Bayelsa) and Mohammad Ngoshe (Borno), Tinubu retracted his candidacy on March 18, 2024. Johnson Silnikiem was given the Bayelsa position, and Umar Mukhtar was reappointed as REC for Borno.
3. CBN Board Nominee Discontinued
Tinubu retracted Ruby Onwudiwe’s candidacy to the CBN board on March 14, 2024, just two days after sending her name to the Senate. The decision was allegedly influenced by party pressure regarding her political membership.
4. The Sudden Ministerial Retraction of Maryam Shetty
Maryam Shetty learned that her nomination had been withdrawn when she appeared in the Senate for ministerial screening in August 2023. In an incident that sparked online mockery and sympathy, Mariya Mahmoud’s name was substituted for hers.
5. The 24-Hour NDDC Board Shake-Up
Only a day after announcing them, on September 2, 2023, Tinubu changed Asi Okang of Cross River, the NDDC nominee, with Orok Duke, and Victor Akinjo of Ondo with Otito Atikase. Following demonstrations by citizens and APC members in both states, the switch was made.
6. Reversing the FERMA Chair Nomination
Kashim Imam was appointed head of the FERMA board by the presidency on October 13, 2023. The appointment was discreetly revoked less than a week later, and the State House said in a statement that it had no impact on subsequent board nominations.
7. Board Dissolution with Exemptions at the Last Minute
Tinubu dissolved the boards of all federal agencies, parastatals, and government-owned businesses in June 2023. Hours later, the SGF’s office explained—without providing an explanation—that NAFDAC and NDLEA were exempt.
