Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North, has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove certain ministers and security chiefs from their positions, citing their inefficiency and insufficient contributions to Nigeria’s progress.

During a guest appearance on Politics Today, a programme broadcast on Channels Television on Monday, Kalu shared his assessment of the federal cabinet.

“Some people working with President Tinubu should be relieved of their duties. Some of them should go, both from the security sector and among the ministers,”
he said.

A former Governor of Abia State, Kalu advised the President to take decisive actions to realign his administration with the expectations of Nigerians.

“President Tinubu must be courageous enough to sack some of these ministers. If he takes my advice, most of these ministers, I’ve appraised them and talked to him privately,  most of them should go, and that is the truth,”
he added.

He also emphasized that changes were needed among the security chiefs for Nigeria to overcome its current difficulties.

“If he takes my advice, some of the security chiefs will also go. There is no sentiment about redeeming Nigeria if we really want to relieve Nigeria,” Kalu remarked.

President Tinubu appointed 45 ministers when he assumed office on 29 May 2023, marking the largest cabinet since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. This move sparked various reactions and concerns.

In October 2024, a significant cabinet reshuffle took place.

Five ministers were dismissed, seven new ministers appointed, and ten others reassigned to different ministries.

The reshuffle affected critical sectors such as education, tourism, women’s affairs, youth development, and housing.

Notable changes included renaming the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, dissolving the Ministry of Sports, and merging the ministries of tourism and arts and culture.

Since the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, Nigerians have been grappling with rising fuel prices and increased living costs, alongside economic reforms that have resulted in short-term difficulties.

On the economic situation, Kalu acknowledged the ongoing reforms but noted that many Nigerians have yet to feel their positive effects.

“The macro side is coming, but the other downsides are not coming very well. Nigerians in the lower area are still suffering. They have not started having the benefit of the changes President Tinubu is making,”
he observed.

He cautioned that while reforms are in progress, the benefits will take time to materialize, and ongoing insecurity continues to impede economic recovery.

“The changes are trickling down, it’s going to take another one to two years for the changes to come. And what is causing it is because insurgencies and the problems all over Nigeria are still making people not go to the farm. Some people working with Tinubu should be relieved of their duties,”

Kalu concluded.

Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha has dismissed rumours suggesting he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another political party.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha categorically rejected the speculation and reassured his supporters of his unwavering allegiance to the ruling party.

The statement also urged his followers to disregard recent reports alleging that the APC is “desperate to hijack power,” calling such claims the work of political adversaries intent on sowing discord within the party.

“Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again?” the statement said.

Okorocha was described as a “bonafide, committed member of the APC” who never made the statement currently circulating in the media.

“Okorocha remains a bonafide, committed member of the APC. He never made the statement being circulated by those envious of his political journey,”
the statement added.

Highlighting his dedication to the party, Okorocha stressed that he took a political risk by joining the APC during its formation in 2015, becoming the only sitting governor from the South-East to do so, despite the party’s limited support in the region at that time.

The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, has officially resigned from his position, citing the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective offices in the state.

The resignation letter of Akinruntan, who represents Ilaje Constituency 1 and is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola. The lawmaker was absent during plenary.

Akinruntan, who was elected Deputy Speaker in June 2023, served in the role until his resignation. His resignation letter stated:

“I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025. Recall the House was inaugurated in June 2023, and I was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker by members as stipulated in our standing order.”

“My resignation is borne out of the need to align with the conventional arrangement in power sharing of elective positions in the state. I want to appreciate all members and staff for their contributions and support.”

Following this development, Ololade Gbegude, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, was nominated by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1) as the new Deputy Speaker.

The nomination was uncontested, and Gbegude was sworn in, pledging to perform his duties with due diligence.

In a similar vein, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, stepped down from his position. Olatunji Oshati, the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, was announced as the new Majority Leader.

Additionally, Muritala Sulaiman (Akoko South East) was appointed Chief Whip, and Fabiyi Olatunji (Odigbo Constituency 1) became the Whip of the Assembly.

The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, praised the former deputy speaker and majority leader for the maturity displayed during the smooth and peaceful transition.

“The same thing goes for the former majority leader. He has been a stabiliser in the House and also a good and dependable ally,”
Oladiji said.

It was gathered that the reshuffling of the principal officers’ positions was necessary to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in Ondo State.

Notably, Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area, while Ogunmolasuyi, the outgoing Majority Leader, is from Owo Local Council Area, the same as Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami.

Former senator and human rights advocate Shehu Sani has thrown his support behind President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, while sharply criticising previous Northern leaders for failing to drive progress in the region.

Speaking to journalists at his Kaduna home, Sani emphasized that the North had wielded significant political power in recent years but failed to use that advantage to develop the region meaningfully.

He accused some former Northern officeholders of stoking resentment against Tinubu for their own gain.

“For those of us from this part (North) of the country, we appreciate the progress made so far by this present government,” Sani said.

“And for those of them who had the opportunity to do better and they failed, we tell them that it is better they apologize for the wrong they have done to the people of the North.”

He warned the Northern populace against being manipulated by such politicians, stressing the importance of unity and continued support for the current administration.

“They should not be incited against the President who had supported our own for eight years in power,” he said. “I have heard a lot of comments and remarks that are linked to tribal sentiments.”

Sani cited recent political history, noting that the North-West has produced two presidents since 1999, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.

He highlighted that the South-West had consistently backed Northern candidates and should now be allowed to complete its own presidential tenure.

“So it is only logical that we allow the South to complete their eight years in power for the peace, unity, and for the survival of our democracy,” he stated.

“And even if there should be another presidential candidate from the opposition, that candidate should be from the Southwest because that is equity, justice, and that is fairness.”

He accused certain unnamed Northern politicians of self-interest, arguing that their criticism of the Tinubu administration stems from exclusion rather than genuine concern for the region.

“Such elements are crying foul for no reason other than that they have been excluded from government,” he said.

“Their grievances are about their own personal interests and not about the people, not about the North, not about the masses, not about insecurity and governance.”

Reflecting on the security situation under the previous administration, Sani pointed out that despite Northern dominance in key security positions, there was little headway in tackling terrorism and banditry.

“Under the last administration, all the security apparatuses are of Northern extraction,” he recalled.

“They never stopped terrorism in the North, they never stopped banditry in Northwest, they never stopped killings in Benue State, in Plateau, and most parts of North Central states. We need to be very factual about it.”

He also highlighted the substantial representation of Northerners in President Tinubu’s cabinet, mentioning key roles like the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Defense, Transport, Environment, Agriculture, and the Chief of Defense Staff.

“For us in the Northern part of the country, we are very much glad, particularly the people from Kaduna State,” he said.

Acknowledging that insecurity still poses challenges, Sani noted that conditions have improved under the current administration, especially in parts of Kaduna.

“Bandits are still killing people, they are kidnapping people in Katsina State, they are still doing that in Zamfara State,” he admitted.

“But if we are going to compare it to where we are coming from, I think things are better.”

He cited the now-safer Birnin Gwari road, which had previously seen relentless attacks.

“Banditry happened every hour, not every day for eight years along Birnin Gwari road. Now people can travel day and night,” he said.

“When last did you hear an attack since the attack on Kuriga school? When last did you hear an attack on any school in the state?”

Sani also pointed to recent federal investments in Kaduna State, including a new medical centre, a federal university in Southern Kaduna, and increased funding for the Kaduna–Abuja highway.

“We have seen many things that were brought in, and we only demand more,” he added.

“But my message is also to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that more should be done in terms of addressing challenges in the Northern part of Nigeria, and critics should be listened to, and where there is lies, it should be responded to. And this country will be great if there is development in all parts of Nigeria.”