By Zwànke Leo, Lafia

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to reshuffle his cabinet, political stakeholders in Nasarawa State are calling for the replacement of Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, due to what they describe as her “incompetence and disconnect” from the state’s political realities. 

The concerned indigenes of Nasarawa State have issued a statement in Lafia, the state capital, demanding a more competent and locally connected and concerned representative for the ministerial position.

In the statement made available to Eyewitness Newspaper Ibrahim Adamu, spokesperson for the group, emphasized that Ibrahim’s appointment was a “misplacement of priority,” noting that there are many qualified sons and daughters of Nasarawa who could better serve the interests of the state at the federal level.

According to Adamu, “Her representation does not reflect the aspirations of the people of Nasarawa. It was a shock to many of us when her appointment was announced. We even thought she was from Niger State, not Nasarawa.”
\
Adamu further explained that Imaan’s lack connection to Nasarawa’s political landscape has caused a gap in the expected intermediary role she should play between the federal government and the state. 

“Since her appointment, there has been a total disconnect between her and the people of Nasarawa. We expected her to attract federal government presence, development, and projects to our state, but that has not happened,” he said.

Disconnect with Party and Constituency

The criticism is not limited to Imaan’s governance. Adamu and others have pointed out that her ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have been weak at best. “She has never been fully grounded in Nasarawa State politics and has not paid her dues as a party member. Her performance has been far from satisfactory, both within the party and at the governance level,” Adamu remarked.

Several political groups in Nasarawa have echoed these sentiments, urging the president to take action. “We have seen calls from various groups within the state, and they all point to the same thing—her inability to relate to the people and contribute meaningfully to the development of Nasarawa State. This has been an issue since her appointment,” Adamu added.

Party’s Defense

In response to these calls for her removal, the APC in Nasarawa State has issued a statement defending Imaan against the allegations. However, some members of the party’s working committee have privately expressed their discontent, stating that party patronage and influence have dwindled under her tenure.

One senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We’ve never seen worse patronage from a minister representing Nasarawa at the national level. Whether in the APC or during the PDP’s time in power, we have always had ministers who contributed significantly to the state’s development. Unfortunately, that is not the case now.”

Despite the APC’s official stance, some members of the state’s political structure feel it is time for a change. “Her time in office has been marked by a lack of effective communication and support for the state. If President Tinubu is serious about reshuffling the cabinet, we hope he will choose someone who understands our people, our politics, and our needs,” said a political analyst from Nasarawa.

Calls for Change

As the cabinet reshuffle looms, the pressure on President Tinubu to appoint a more capable minister from Nasarawa State continues to grow. Stakeholders argue that the next minister must be someone who can effectively engage with both the state and federal governments to bring tangible development to Nasarawa.

“We need a person of value, someone who is deeply committed to the party and the people of Nasarawa,” Adamu said. “This position is not just about holding a title; it is about delivering results and representing the people’s interests at the highest level.”

The statement concluded by urging President Tinubu to “rethink” Imaan’s appointment and consider individuals with a proven track record of dedication to Nasarawa’s progress and development. With political tension high in the state, all eyes are on the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, as the people of Nasarawa wait to see if their calls for change will be answered.