By Mumini AbdulKareem
Strong indications emerged, last night that some of the recently disengaged commissioners and other cabinet members may not return to their posts when the ongoing reconstitution of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s cabinet is completed.
Among some of the criteria that may allegedly work against some of them include the issue of zoning and the need to engage more politicians than technocrats following the last local government elections were some of the political office holders failed to deliver their wards.
Although, announcement of the new cabinet is not “a front burner issue” for now, a top source revealed, many of the sacked commissioners, have been “very agitated” about their return.
However, speaking with our reporter, last night, another source described those that will be making a return when the ongoing process is completed as those in the safe zone and the “Team A” of the Governor.
National Pilot learnt last night, that some of the “key commissioners” in the cabinet are still calling the shot in their various ministries after their disengagement and were not directed to hand over to their permanent secretaries or most senior officials.
Among those that sources listed may not be making a return is the former Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Mrs Iyabo Adewuyi, who hails from Isin and was initially at the Social Development, Culture and Tourism ministry.
Mrs Adewuyi has faced strong antagonism from some of the “elites” in his local government that led to exchange of words as widely reported by the media.
For the former commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Dr Aminat Susade Ahmed, from Kaiama, although she delivered her ward which was one of the criteria the party reportedly said should be considered, she is seen as one of the “technocrats” that is considered not political enough to work for government going into 2019.
The issue of the former commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Bamidele Adegoke sources confided in our reporter may be hinged on the issue to balance zoning.
Adegoke is from Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero local government as against Ilofa that is reportedly next in line for the slot.
In the case of Hon Muyideen Olaniyi Alalade, who was swapped from the ministry of Housing and Urban Development to Energy, his “high flying” performance as one of the best in the state in the area of revenue generation may not be enough consideration as he may be reportedly consumed of high wire politics of 2019 between top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also, it was leant that former commissioner for Water Resources, Barr. AbdulRasaq Akorede may be dropped.
Although Akorede won one of his polling units, he is not seen as a grassroots politician and had loyalty issues against him during the last council elections.
In the case of Hajia Funmilayo Oniwa who last served as commissioner for Commence and Cooperatives, the need to “invigorate and stimulate” governance especially in the light of the last council poll, may see her name substituted with another.
While the former Commissioner for Environment, the flamboyant Otumba Taiwo Joseph (OTJ) reportedly scored high politically in the support of the structure, his “albatross”, it was gathered, may be the issue of the House of Reps ticket for 2019 if the APC favours him for the position.
As for former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Muhammed Haruna Tambiri, though he is said to have “performed” very greatly, his district already has the commissioner, council chairman and a permanent secretary and the party might want to pick a commissioner from Tsaragi which has no political office holder in the present dispensation.
