Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has explained that the dissolution of the state executive council was part of a mid-term performance review designed to inject fresh energy into his administration.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Minna, the governor stressed that the action was not punitive, but a strategic restructuring to improve service delivery.
Bago clarified that the cabinet shake-up should not be misinterpreted as a dismissal of his commissioners but as a necessary step to reposition his government.
“This is a mid-term review of our performance. As you know, these people were appointed by me. I have decided, in the interest of everyone, to rejig the cabinet,” the governor said.
The governor hinted that some former commissioners may be reappointed, while others could be redeployed to different ministries where their expertise would be better utilised.
“Some may be reappointed, while others may be assigned to other portfolios to give fresh energy to the system. They have done their key performance index: some exceeded it, while others can be valuable in other fields,” he explained.
Despite the dissolution, Governor Bago retained certain top officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and other principal officers in his office.
The governor praised the outgoing cabinet members for their contributions to his administration, describing them as part of the foundation on which his government is building.
“All of them are part of the foundation we had; we are grateful for their contributions. What we have done is a collective responsibility,” he noted.
