In a surprising turn of events, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the nominations of Victor Kolade and Asu Oka Okang as board members for the prestigious Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), representing Ondo and Cross Rivers states respectively.
These nominations have sparked outrage within the All Progressives Congress (APC), with party members across the country condemning the choices due to the nominees' alleged ties to the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Critics argue that Kolade and Okang, both known members of the PDP, had actively worked against the success of the APC in the recently concluded general elections, which narrowly saw President Tinubu secure victory.
This latest move by the Presidency to nominate figures from the opposition camp into sensitive positions is not new, raising concerns and drawing widespread condemnation from APC stakeholders.
The respective APC state chapters of Ondo and Cross Rivers have unitedly condemned the action and pledged to fight it to the end, receiving unanimous support from party stakeholders.
These controversial nominations follow previous instances where the President appointed individuals from opposing factions to key positions. One such example was Bosun Tijani, a known member of the "Obidient" and "Endsars" groups, who was nominated, screened, and approved by an APC-dominated senate. This decision left a bitter taste in the mouths of party members nationwide, especially as prominent APC members like El-rufai had failed to pass the senate screening.
Furthermore, the President had to make changes to the portfolios assigned to screened ministers even before their inauguration, adding to the growing concern that he is being influenced by a powerful cabal surrounding him. It is believed that this group prevents him from hearing the truth and instead pushes their own agendas, leaving some party faithful questioning the direction of the government.
The existence of a cabal or kitchen cabinet within the corridors of power is not a new phenomenon in politics. As the popular Hausa saying goes, "There is no wicked king but a wicked courtier," implying that the type of people the king surrounds himself with determines his character and decisions. In President Tinubu's case, it seems he is caught between the conflicting interests of serving the people, rewarding loyal party members, and appeasing influential aides who crave more power and control.
However, all hope is not lost. The solution lies with the party faithful, who must find a way to address these excesses and draw the President's attention to the urgent need for a balance between the needs of the people, the demands of the cabal, and the challenges of a political federalism in a developing country.
President Tinubu must come to terms with the fact that his success depends on his own actions and his government's ability to fulfill the aspirations of the common man. It is crucial that he rises to the occasion and prioritizes the nation's interests over any other considerations.
Mohammed Bello Doka serves as the political editor for Abuja Network News, providing insightful coverage of political developments in Nigeria's capital city.
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