“Why Tinubu Appointed Bianca Ojukwu As Minister,” PDP Chieftain Spills in Trending Interview
- PDP chieftain Austin Okai has argued that the appointments of Bianca Ojukwu and Maigari Dingyadi lacked merit and are politically driven
- In an exclusive interview with TheTalk.NG, Okai claimed that with Bianca Ojukwu’s nomination Tinubu and the APC aimed to boost their political ties in the southeastern region ahead of the 2027 election
- TheTalk.NG recalled that President Tinubu in a major cabinet reshuffle, sacked five ministers, approved the nomination of Ojukwu, Dingyadi and five others as ministers in his cabinet
TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Austin Okai, the 2023 House of Representatives candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency of Kogi state, has insisted that Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu’s nomination as a minister-designate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not based on merit.
Okai reacts as Tinubu appoints Bianca Ojukwu as minister.
Photo credit: Usman Okai Austin, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TinubuSource: Facebook
Okai reacts to Bianca Ojukwu, Maigari Dingyadi’s appointment
Recall that on Wednesday, Tinubu rejigged his cabinet. President Tinubu sacked five ministers and re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios. He also appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation.
In an exclusive interview with TheTalk.NG on Sunday, October 27, Oki maintained that Bianca Ojukuw’s nomination is “to strengthen political relationships with the southeast.”
Speaking further, Okai questioned Tinubu’s decision of appointing ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s former appointee, Maigari Dingyadi as a minister in his cabinet, noting that the latter’s tenure “was deemed ineffective.”
The PDP chieftain said:
“There is a growing call for the inclusion of more technocrats in critical areas such as finance, budget, and national planning. If you look at what the minister of finance is only reeling out CBN achievements, technocrats with proven track records could drive data-driven policies and reforms necessary for economic growth.
“Concerns have also been raised about Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, whose tenure in the previous administration was deemed ineffective, and Bianca Ojukwu, who is believed to have been nominated for political reasons rather than competency. The latter nomination is seen as an attempt to strengthen political relationships with the southeast.”
Read more about Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle here:
Bianca Ojukwu: Anambra APC rejects Tinubu’s nomination
Similarly, TheTalk.NG reported that President Bola Tinubu was heavily criticised for appointing Bianca Ojukwu as a minister in his government.
This is as the APC in Anambra state accused Tinubu of anti-party activities and rejected Bianca’s ministerial nomination.
Recall that President Tinubu reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday and appointed Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu as the minister of state foreign affairs.
Source: TheTalk.NG