Our reporter, Samuel Malik, tracks how Nigerians view President Muhammadu Buhari’s new cabinet on Twitter
Mixed reactions have continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s newly formed cabinet, with some expressing optimism while others are not impressed with the choice of portfolios handed out.
More than five months after taking office, the President on Wednesday swore in the new ministers, following their screening and confirmation by the Senate, and, true to form, he sprang some surprises.
One of the surprises was the merger of three ministries – works, power and housing – with former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola as minster, making him arguably the most powerful minister in the new cabinet.
While some applaud the President’s decision to hand Fashola such enormous task, others only have sympathy for the former governor.
Oluseyi Smiles M, who goes by the handle @Talk2Smiles, believes this particular appointment is a good one, especially with regards to power.
“Nigeria is about to be great again. The thing that excites me the most is Fashola in ministry of Power. If Power works then Nigeria will work,” he says.
Another user, WF Wizprince, @iamwizprince, agrees and says Fashola has been saddled with fixing the country.
“Power + Works + Housing: Fashola has just been tipped to fix Nigeria. May God be with him. I am so glad this is happening in our nation,” he says.
Prince of Africa, @goldmarkllink, believes Fashola’s assessment by Nigerians starts immediately, especially as Nigerians are not known to be patient.
“Knowing Nigerians too well, Fashola’s performance evaluation starts tonight. He must perform magic. I feel for him,” Prince notes.
Not all the appointments, however, were received with joy.
Adamu Adamu, an accountant and former columnist, saw his appointment as education minister questioned by Adeolu, @MrAshaye, who wondered how he landed such a portfolio.
“Anyone know his pedigree on this?” Adeolu asks.
For Zainab Usman, @MissZeeUsman, it was a case of “hits and misses”, although others think otherwise.
“Overall, this is a formidable cabinet,” Karo, @KaroOrovboni, says.
For Asiwaju Lewis, @lewislol2000, Nigeria is a work in progress and the new cabinet inspires confidence that the project, Nigeria, is on course.
There is no shortage of advice for the men and women tasked with bringing the much-talked-about change to Nigerians.
A Twitter user, I_am’de’Mallam, @MistaMydo, says a minister should be shown the way out if proven to be incompetent while another, Acha Harrison, @HarrisonAcha, urges the ministers to ensure that the United Nations-adopted Sustainable Development Goals, SGDs, related to their ministries succeed.
