President 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 have begun to doubt the administration’s planning as a result of the president’s vacillations, which include the abrupt withdrawal 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.
An appointment with Muheeba Dankaka for four hours
President Tinubu reappointed FCC Chair Muheeba Dankaka on Monday for a further five-year term. Without providing an official explanation, the presidency replaced her four hours later with former lawmaker Ayo Omidiran.
Presidential assistant Bayo Onanuga claimed that controversy had plagued Dankaka’s term. Although the Emir of Ilorin praised her before realizing the statement had been changed, the confusion was still evident.
2. Retraction of INEC REC Nominees
Mohammad Ngoshe (Borno) and Owede Kosioma Eli (Bayelsa), two INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, were nominated by Tinubu, but he withdrew it on March 18, 2024. Borno REC Umar Mukhtar was reappointed, and Bayelsa was given to Johnson Silnikiem.
3. The CBN Board Nominee Was Removed
Tinubu withdrew 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 said to have been influenced by party pressure regarding her political membership.
4. Maryam Shetty’s Unexpected Resignation as Minister
When Maryam Shetty showed up at the Senate for ministerial screening in August 2023, she found out her nomination had been revoked. Her name was changed to Mariya Mahmoud’s, a move that sparked internet mockery as well as pity.
5. A 24-hour shake-up of the NDDC Board
One day after declaring them, on September 2, 2023, Tinubu replaced Asi Okang of the NDDC from Cross River with Orok Duke and Victor Akinjo of Ondo with Otito Atikase. Following objections by citizens and APC members in both states, the transition was made.
6. Reversing the Nomination for FERMA Chair
Kashim Imam was appointed by the presidency to serve as the FERMA board chairperson on October 13, 2023. The State House said in a statement that other board appointments remained untouched, and the appointment was quietly revoked less than a week later.
7. Dissolution of the Board with Last-Minute Exemptions
Tinubu disbanded the boards of all federal parastatals, government-owned businesses, and agencies in June 2023. A few hours later, the SGF’s office explained—without providing an explanation—that NDLEA and NAFDAC were excluded.
