As the May 29 handover date by President Jonathan to incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari draws close, indications have emerged as to the shape and form of Buhari’s cabinet. In this special editorial forecast, the Editorial Board of BREAKING TIMES presents a list of some of the likely incoming Ministers and their corresponding portfolios. According to sources close to the President-Elect, these are individuals driven by the desire to restore the dream of the founding fathers but also share the modest lifestyle of the incoming president. Also, it was gathered that while the President-elect is not going to stand against the APC that won him the Presidency, he has resolved to pick technocrats and those he trusts to run his most important ministries. Below is the BREAKING TIMES Ministerial Forecast:

Petroleum Minister – Prof Tam David West

Tam David West received his higher education at the University of Ibadan (1956-1958) and earned a BSc degree at Michigan State University (1958-1960) an MSc degree at Yale University (1960–1962), and a PhD degree at McGill University (1964–1966). David-West was consultant virologist and senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1969 and was subsequently promoted to professor of virology in 1975. It is the President-Elect’s personal wish to return him to the Petroleum Ministry where he had served as federal Minister of Petroleum and Energy under Muhammadu Buhari from 1984-1985. It is said that David West has a reputation for being incorruptible, frugal, and loyal even in trying times.

Finance Minister – Dr. Idika Kalu

Sources close to the President-Elect say Dr. Idika Kalu is favored to be Finance Minister. Dr. Idika Kalu is no stranger to economic issues having been a Minister of Finance two times. It was Idika Kalu who, in 2005, openly opposed the Paris debt relief as canvassed by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Education Minister – Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi

Bolaji Abdulahi, Nigeria’s former Minister of Youth Development and later Minister of Sports, may return but this time under the Education portfolio which is his professional area of passion and expertise. The tireless reformer under whose watch Nigeria won the Africa Nations Cup after 19 years and also won the U-17 World Cup left the Goodluck Jonathan government, owing to his leaning towards the new PDP, the faction of the PDP, which his mentor, Senator Bukola Saraki and five governors had formed. Before he became Minister in the outgoing dispensation, he had served as Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology in Kwara State and was renowned for the reforms he initiated in education in the state.

Justice Minister – Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN

Tinubu loyalist, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997–1999. In 1998 he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006). On 28 July 2012, On Akeredolu was selected as the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State.

Culture and Tourism Minister – Dele Momodu

If there is one man who threw his full weight online and offline behind the Buhari/Osinbajo change campaign, it is Ovation International Publisher and former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Bashorun Dele Momodu. Although he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress, inside sources favour Bashorun Dele Momodu for the Culture and Tourism portfolio. With a first degree and a Masters in Yoruba, backed with his remarkable exposure as one of the most widely traveled Africans alive as well as the huge respect he commands in the entertainment industry, the Culture and Tourism ministry, it is believed will come alive under his watch as Minister.

Information Minister – Sam Nda Isaiah

Nda Isaiah, publisher of Leadership Newspaper, who is noted for his ‘Big Ideas’ when he contested for APC presidential ticket, it was gathered, may be Minister of Information.

Works Minister – Babatunde Fashola

Outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN may clinch the Minister of Works portfolio owing to his giant strides in infrastructure development in Lagos State. His public service pedigree it was gathered endear him to Buhari who has resolved to ensure key portfolios in his cabinet are given to technocrats.

Culled from: Breaking Times