Tinubu Should Sack Non-Performing Ministers to Strengthen Cabinet — Nataro

Mallam Salihu Isa Nataro, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship candidate in Kebbi State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet by removing underperforming ministers in order to strengthen his administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Nataro, a public finance expert, said while the President’s economic reforms are beginning to yield results, only a major overhaul of the Federal Executive Council can inject fresh energy into the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged the President not to retain any minister whose performance raises questions about the government’s credibility.

Making reference to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Nataro suggested that Tinubu should consider redeploying him if security reports show that his continued presence could pose reputational risks.

“The President has recorded tremendous achievements alone, without adequate complementary helping hands from his cabinet, where about 85 per cent of them do not know enough about his policy directions, but rather sitting down like dead horses in a jungle,” Nataro stated.

He further advised that Tinubu’s next FCT Minister should review and, if necessary, revoke land allocations made under Wike to ease public tension, stressing that transparent land administration is critical at a time when Nigeria is witnessing renewed inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI).

“Things are looking up in the area of Foreign Direct Investment due to President Tinubu’s singular international travels. I am happy that the President agreed with my suggestion for local production of military soft and hardware, as well as infrastructure development which will ease the nation’s economy,” he added.

Nataro also urged the President to prioritise food security above excessive military spending, citing a recent Air Force bombing in Katsina that mistakenly killed villagers during a wedding and intensified public outrage.

“The masses that blame President Tinubu for hunger do so due to lack of adequate information to rural areas about the true situation of government policies,” he said.

He criticised some state governors for mismanaging increased federal allocations, arguing that many Nigerians still live in poverty despite higher inflows from the centre.

“Some of the governors have refused to channel the money to areas of need and priority projects, while the masses continue to wallow in poverty,” he said.

The APC chieftain also praised Aliko Dangote for recalling Tinubu’s economic foresight as Lagos governor, which laid the foundation for the Dangote Refinery.

On the controversy over Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops, Nataro urged Nigerians to embrace innovation rather than emulate Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, who has opposed them. According to him, scientific advancement is crucial for transforming Nigeria into a digital economy.

He further advised the President to maintain zero tolerance for corruption and remain open to constructive criticism from public intellectuals such as Sam Amadi, Bolaji Akinyemi, and Farooq Kperogi.

“Tinubu is a listening President,” Nataro added, expressing optimism that a reshuffled cabinet filled with competent technocrats and reform-driven politicians would elevate the administration and strengthen its case for continuity beyond 2027.