Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has dissolved his cabinet and swept away political appointees in Niger State, in what analysts see as a major shake-up aimed at consolidating his hold on government.
The directive, issued Monday through the Secretary to the State Government, affects commissioners, special advisers, board members, and parastatal heads who were appointed before Bago assumed office in May 2023. Affected officials have been directed to hand over government property to the most senior directors in their offices.
Reasons for sack
Explaining the decision, Governor Bago said it was part of a broader restructuring designed to inject new energy into his administration and ensure that those in key positions share his reformist vision. He insisted the move was not punitive but a realignment to strengthen service delivery across agriculture, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
The sack, however, has fueled speculation about political calculations behind the shake-up, with observers noting that it may give Bago the chance to reward loyalists while sidelining holdovers from the previous administration.
Bago is expected to unveil a new cabinet in the coming days, with emphasis on technocrats and political allies who can help him drive his 9-Point Smart Agenda.
