Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in Nigeria’s National Assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu to further revamp his cabinet by removing additional ministers who are not performing effectively.
In a statement issued from Abuja on October 26, 2024, Ndume praised the President’s recent adjustments to his ministerial team but stressed the need for continued action to ensure alignment with the administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
“The President has made a commendable move by reshaping his cabinet; however, some ministers still fall short of expectations,” Ndume noted.
He commended Tinubu for replacing five ministers, reallocating ten others, and creating the new Ministry of Regional Development, which has taken the place of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Ndume views these changes as positive initial steps toward improving governance.
Furthermore, Ndume proposed that President Tinubu organize a national economic summit to develop effective solutions to the country’s economic difficulties.
He suggested a panel of respected Nigerian economists and former ministers, including notable figures such as former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former education minister Oby Ezekwesili, Akinwumi Adesina, Mansur Muktar, Arunma Oteh, and economist Tope Fasua.
“This national economic summit should be led exclusively by these distinguished Nigerians, who can provide recommendations tailored to our needs, rather than relying on the often harsh and impractical solutions offered by the IMF and World Bank,” he stated, highlighting the necessity for homegrown solutions to mitigate external economic pressures.
Ndume also applauded Tinubu’s efforts to reduce the cost of governance and encouraged other branches of government to adopt similar measures.
He expressed his belief that the insights from a locally-led summit would give Nigeria the strategic direction it requires, especially in light of escalating economic challenges.
In closing, the Senator expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s openness to implementing sound recommendations from Nigerian experts to foster sustainable economic development.
