How Matawalle Kept His Cabinet Position Amid Banditry Allegations

Details have emerged on the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, which saw the removal of five ministers while retaining others, including Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, despite allegations against him. The dismissed ministers include Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN (Education), Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), and Abdullahi Gwarzo (State for Housing and Urban Development). According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the reshuffle was influenced by both public perception and performance data, as well as the ministers’ political relevance in their regions.

Reasons Behind Individual Dismissals

1. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim – Placeholder Minister

Sources from the Ministry of Youth Development suggested that Bio Ibrahim had been a “placeholder” for Ayodele Olawande, who has now been appointed as the substantive minister. The favored candidate of Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, Olawande had long been anticipated to take over. According to ministry insiders, Bio Ibrahim lacked the political support necessary to fully execute her role, which was compounded by opposition to her initiatives.

2. Uju-Ken Ohanenye – Controversial Leadership

Ohanenye, the former Minister of Women Affairs, was reportedly let go due to her controversial actions and “constant drama.” Known for her aggressive approach to restructuring and public criticism of the United Nations, she drew negative attention within the administration. Her actions, including accusations against the UN for alleged fund mismanagement and her disruption of events, reportedly embarrassed the presidency.

3. Doris Azoka-Anite – Isolated Leadership Style

Former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Doris Azoka-Anite reportedly distanced herself from the agencies within her ministry, relocating to a separate office in Abuja, which made coordination challenging. Her autonomous approach frustrated staff and industrialists, leading to complaints that may have contributed to her reassignment to the Ministry of Finance.

4. Lola Ade-John – Lack of Political Backing

In the tourism sector, Lola Ade-John, a non-politician, was dismissed, allegedly due to pressures from the Lagos political bloc. Sources indicate that her lack of political affiliation and limited access to key Lagos officials made her vulnerable. Despite reportedly strong performance, her exclusion from the political network of Lagos led to her removal.

5. Prof. Tahir Mamman – Policy Controversies

The former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, faced controversy over his policy decisions, particularly the introduction of an 18-year minimum age for university admission, which stirred public backlash. Additionally, diplomatic issues with universities in neighboring countries contributed to dissatisfaction with his leadership.

The Case of Bello Matawalle’s Retention

Despite public criticism, Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, retained his position. Accused of sponsoring banditry in Zamfara State, allegations he denies, his retention was attributed to political strategy. Onanuga clarified that these allegations remained unproven, and insiders suggested that Matawalle’s political value could aid Tinubu’s long-term political objectives.

Broader Implications

The reshuffle reflects a strategic blend of performance assessment and political calculations. For Tinubu, it may be a balancing act of enhancing government functionality while also managing political relationships, particularly as he considers potential ambitions for a second term.