Political Observers Expectant Over Who Becomes President Tinubu’s Defence Minister

Political observers are expectant of how portfolios would be distributed in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Questions are raised about who becomes the defence minister.

Naija News reports that the agitations follow the fact all of the president’s ‘favourites‘ on the ministerial list have no military background.

This has, however, raised concerns and doubts about who would be Tinunu’s minister of defence.

Recall that last Wednesday, the president, through his Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, presented a supplementary list with 19 additional names to the earlier one.

The week before, the President presented his first batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate.

Names on the first include

Abubakar Momoh
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa
Barr. Hannatu Musawa
Chief Uche Nnaji
Dr. Betta Edu
Dr. Dorris Aniche Uzoka
H.E. David Umahi
H.E. Nyesom Wike
H.E. Badaru Abubakar
H.E. Nasiru Ahmed Elrufai
Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo
Hon. Nkiru Onyeojiocha
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo
Hon. Stella Okotette
Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohaneye
Mr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo
Mr. Dele Alake
Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN
Mr. Muhammad Idris
Mr. Olawale Edun
Mr. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu
Mrs. Iman Suleiman Ibrahim
Professor Ali Pate
Professor Joseph Utsev
Senator Abubakar Kyari
Senator John Enoh
Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi

While names on the second list are

Ahmed Tijani Kwazo -Kano State
Bosun Tijani – Ogun State
Dr. Isiak Salako – Ogun State
Dr. Tunji Alausa – Lagos State
Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu – Kebbi State
Adegboyega Oyetola – Osun State
Atiku Bagudu – Kebbi State
Bello Mattawale – Zamfara State
Ibrahim Gaidam – Yobe State
Simon Lalong – Plateau State
Lola Ade John – Lagos
Dr. Mariam Shetti – Kano State
Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu – Adamawa State
Prof Taye Mamman – Adamawa State
Sen Sabi Abdullahi – Niger State
Senator Alkali Ahmed Saidu – Gombe State
Senator Heineken Lokpobori – Bayelsa State
Uba Maigari Ahmadu – Taraba State
Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo – FCT.

The President on Friday withdrew his nomination of Dr. Maryam Shetty from Kano State, replacing her with Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also from Kano.

He also nominated the former Minister of State for Labour and Unemployment under President Muhammadu Buhari, Festus Keyamo (SAN), making a long list of 48 nominees.

Speaking with The Punch, a presidency source who did not want to be mentioned argued that the new defence helmsman must not have worn boots to excel in office.

The source asserted, “It is expected that those in the military will understand the nuances and be able to command the respect and loyalty of the various armed forces. I understand the psychology.

“But it doesn’t matter. Often, the best administrators almost don’t even have direct professional training towards the agency or ministry they head.

“More so, there is no law that says whoever mans the ministry of defence must be a military person.”