Wike, Umahi rank as top performing ministers, Adelabu, others rated low

A survey conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API) has identified the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri as the least-performing ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Cabinet.

The national survey released in Abuja by API Executive Director, Prof. Bell Ihua was administered between May 1st and 18th, 2024, to elicit citizens’ opinions and assessments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first Year in Office.

Ihua noted that the survey was conducted using a stratified random sampling method, ensuring representation from all nationwide demographic groups.

According to him, a total of 3,996 citizens were interviewed and they provided a robust and diverse dataset for analysis.

He disclosed that citizens were asked to assess the performance of President Tinubu’s Cabinet to identify the performing and non-performing ministers.

According to him 68 percent of citizens thought that none of the cabinet members had performed well since their appointments, 32 percent were willing to identify those they considered the top and least performing ministers.

Based on the responses, the director listed the top five performing ministers to include: Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education with a score of 27 percent, Former River State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT with a score of 25 percent, Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Dave Umahi, the Minister for Works and Housing with a score of 21 percent.

Also, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy scored of 14 percent, while Professor Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare scored 12 percent.

On the other hand, the least-performing ministers were listed to include: Hon. Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power 44 percent, Dr. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works and Housing 30 percent, Hon. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy 27 percent, Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources 22 percent, and Hon. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security 20 percent.

The Institute explained that the data listing Umahi among the top-performing and least-performing ministers may be a result of the mixed sentiments that have engulfed conversations over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, of which he has been in the eye of the storm.

On economy, the survey showed an overwhelming majority of citizens who expressed profound sadness with the current state of affairs in the country.

A significant 81 percent of citizens feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, identifying hunger 36 percent, inability to meet basic needs 28 percent, unemployment 13 percent, heightened insecurity 9 percent, and poor electricity supply 5 percent as the biggest challenges facing them personally today.

In addition, a staggering 74 percent of citizens affirmed that their personal economic situation has deteriorated over the last year, compared to 20 percent who said their personal economic situation had remained the same and a mere 5 percent who said it had improved.

Furthermore, in terms of the job performance of President Tinubu, a significant 78 percent of citizens expressed that he had performed abysmally, with 49 percent rating him “Very Poor” and 29 percent “Poor.”

The widespread dissatisfaction also extends to the performance of other arms of government, as a striking 81 percent of citizens rated Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismally, compared to 79 percent who rated Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, poorly.

Also, the Nigerian Judiciary under the CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was not spared, as 75 percent of citizens also rated him poorly.

According to Ihua, from the survey fieldwork, API has keenly observed a growing mass of aggrieved and discontented citizens nationwide, especially among the youth.

According to him, many are unemployed or underemployed and have become local crusaders and social activists in their communities, waiting for the slightest opportunity to vent their anger against fellow citizens and the Nigerian state.