Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Dele Momodu has accused many ministers and officials within the presidential villa of being too afraid to tell President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the truth about the current challenges facing his administration.
In a recent interview on Channels TV, Momodu, who had previously voiced his concerns through an open letter to President Tinubu, criticized the administration’s approach to governance. He suggested that the failure of Tinubu’s government stems from an attempt to apply a Lagos-style political model to Abuja.
Momodu expressed his dissatisfaction with the current cabinet, claiming that it prioritizes rewarding friends over appointing competent individuals. “I believe in a star-studded cabinet,” he said. “If you ask me to name ten ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet and tell you what they did or did not do before their appointment, I would struggle. That is the truth.”
He continued, “What we have now is a transfer of the Lagos template to Abuja, and that’s why we are failing.”
Momodu also pointed out the stark contrast between Nigeria’s current administration and past governments, such as those of President Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he praised for their efforts to build strong cabinets.
Furthermore, Momodu criticized the practice of appointing individuals based on personal connections rather than merit. “In today’s Nigeria, it’s either you are the son or daughter of someone influential. Nigeria cannot continue to operate on the basis of compensating friends and former schoolmates,” he stated.
He concluded by noting that many officials are so dependent on Tinubu that they cannot speak candidly about the administration’s shortcomings, even though they express their true opinions in private.
News Editor