President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Jumoke Oduwole as the minister of industry, trade and investment is causing ripples in government circles.
This is because Oduwole’s appointment makes her the fourth appointee of the president from Ogun state in the cabinet.
With Oduwole’s appointment, Ogun State now boasts four ministers in the federal cabinet: Adekunle Salako (Minister of State for Environment); Bosun Tijani (Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy); and Wale Edun (Minister of Finance).
This is notable because it’s uncommon to have more than two ministers from a single state in the federal cabinet, which raises questions about regional representation and favouritism within the administration.
The appointment has sparked discussions on balancing ministerial positions among Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Already, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from Abia state has faulted the president’s appointments, noting that the southeast has been sidelined.
“For my constituents, nothing has changed. They don’t refer to it as ‘Renewed Hope’ but rather as ‘Renewed Shege (Suffering).’
“The South East, in particular, is questioning the supposed changes. Removing one South East minister only to replace them doesn’t feel like progress,” the senator lamented.