CABINET FORMATION: South West govs in quandary?

vanguardngr.com

The change of baton at the federal level, is expected to be experienced at state levels.

In the South West geo-political zone, only three governors will be inaugurated on May 29.

This is because governorship elections were conducted in only three states (Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States).

While elections were held in Ekiti and Osun States in 2014, Ondo State is slated to hold in 2016. Already in the zone, behind the scene meetings and consultations are being held to present presumed lieutenants who will help drive the agenda of the incoming administrations.

Interestingly, all the state governors in the region have embarked on the journey of dissolving their cabinet members in a bid to have a breadth of fresh air.

In a remarkable change, it is expected that while some of these state executives will make use of technocrats, others will be a mixture of technocrats and party members. In some states within the region, pundits posit that some governors will be in a state of perplexity owing to external influences, who were instrumental to their emergence as governors. Another factor that will play out in the emergence of cabinet members, is the influence of some top party leaders, who worked round the clock to ensure these governors got either elected or re-elected.

Lagos

In Lagos State, there is every likelihood that the governor-elect, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, might find his hands tied over the choice of his cabinet members.

Following the role played during the electioneering campaigns by the former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu; Mr Ambode may find himself in a difficult situation as he has to consult Tinubu and Akiolu while forming his team.

Just like the outgoing governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola had his team allegedly put together by Asiwaju Tinubu, Ambode.

Members of the Lagos State executive are usually known to be a mixture of technocrats and party members, perhaps a repeat of this might feature in Ambode’s cabinet.

Ogun

For Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, he seems to have entered into some accord with some political bigwigs in the state with a view to accommodating them in his cabinet.

During his first term, Amosun was accused of injecting technocrats in his cabinet to the detriment of party members who worked for his emergence.

However, this development did not go down well with some top-notch of the party, who felt aggrieved and left the fold.

Oyo

For breaking the second term jinx, Governor Abiola Ajimobi will be giving preference to elders and leaders in the state in his cabinet, who worked for his victory at the polls.

Though, feelers from the Agodi Government House suggests that there is perceived tension looming over the possible dissolution of Ajimobi’s cabinet.

In 2011, some leaders and elders from the state presented names of their stooges to Ajimobi for consideration in his cabinet.

Expectedly, in the new cabinet to be formed, the likes of the Alaafin of Oyo, the Arisekola family, late Lam Adesina, Oba Odulana, are perceived to have slots in the new cabinet.

Ondo

It is evident that palpable tension has set in following speculations that governor Olusegun Mimiko before May 29 may disband his cabinet.

Following his return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, there is the likelihood that Mimiko will be injecting both technocrats and political hirelings into his cabinet.

Osun

Already, the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has dissolved his cabinet and is expected to present the names of the nominees to the State House of Assembly.

In his first term, Aregbesola went for young technocrats of Osun origin, scattered in all parts of the world, among them were university scholars and other professionals.

This time, the governor will be taking into consideration some All Progressives Congress, APC, bigwigs, who have distinguished themselves in recent times.

These chieftains are already pushing for a slot to be allocated to them in the Aregbesola cabinet.

Ekiti State

There is already a running battle in Ekiti State where 19 lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC are frowning with Governor Ayo Fayose’s alleged impunity.

The Speaker, Dr Adewal Omirin had accused the governor of encouraging six PDP lawmakers to screen commissioners and Special Advisers for Fayose’s cabinet. Though the commissioners have set out to work but Omirin and his colleagues have described their appointment null and void.

Good hands are everywhere—Igbokwe

Speaking on the composition of cabinet members across the South west especially for Lagos State, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Engineer Joe Igbokwe said “anybody that is good, should fit into government. You can find them everywhere, they can be technocrats or politicians. They can also be captains of industries, they are everywhere. Whoever that can do the job should be invited because there are good people everywhere but only the best is good for Lagos State.”