In a dramatic political development, the presidency has clarified that ministers removed in the latest cabinet reshuffle were “discharged,” not sacked.
This clarification came from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
Onanuga, speaking with TVC, said the term “sacked” does not accurately reflect what happened.
“Ministers were not sacked; they were discharged,” he emphasized during the interview.
This statement followed the announcement that seven ministers had been shown the door as part of Tinubu’s latest effort to refresh his cabinet.
The reshuffle, which was announced on Wednesday, sent shockwaves through political circles.
Seven key ministers were let go, including Uju-Ken Ohanenye, who held the portfolio for Women Affairs, and Lola Ade-John, who served as the Minister of Tourism.
Other high-profile names affected were Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, and Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.
The reshuffle also saw Abdullahi Gwarzo, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, among those leaving the cabinet.
Political analysts are interpreting this move as a significant shake-up, showing Tinubu’s readiness to make bold decisions as he seeks to reshape the direction of his government.
Many Nigerians are asking, what exactly does the term “discharged” mean?
Bayo Onanuga explained that the term indicates that the ministers’ roles had been completed or their services were no longer needed, but they were not dismissed under the negative connotations of being “sacked.”
This, he claims, is to maintain dignity in their departure from government service.
“We want to clarify that this was a decision based on administrative needs,” Onanuga said, aiming to soften the blow of the news.
But critics have questioned whether the distinction between “discharged” and “sacked” makes any real difference to the ministers involved.
The cabinet reshuffle did not just see exits; new faces have also been introduced into President Tinubu’s government.
Seven new ministers have been appointed to replace those who were discharged.
Although the presidency is yet to release a full list of the new appointees, sources have revealed that Tinubu selected individuals with a reputation for effectiveness in their respective fields.
Political watchers are waiting to see how these new appointments will influence government policy and the direction of Tinubu’s administration.
The reshuffle is widely seen as Tinubu’s attempt to inject fresh energy into his administration, which has been under scrutiny since he assumed office in May 2023.
While some observers see the shake-up as long overdue, others believe the President may face backlash from those who feel the discharges were unjustified.
In particular, the removal of key figures like Uju-Ken Ohanenye from the Women Affairs Ministry has sparked concern among gender advocates, who worry about how her departure could affect ongoing efforts to improve women’s rights and inclusion in the country.
“We are watching carefully to see who the new Women Affairs Minister will be,” said an activist from the Women’s Rights Network.
