Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Veteran Nollywood actor Charles Inojie has launched an unsparing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, describing the bulk of the federal ministers as “abysmally decrepit and miserably incompetent.” In a social media post that has since gone viral, Inojie, best known for his role in the popular family series "The Johnsons," argued that the president’s ministers have become so anonymous and ineffective that most Nigerians cannot name them or state the portfolios they hold. The actor’s remarks, published on April 22, 2026, add a high-profile celebrity voice to mounting public criticism of the administration as the country grapples with economic hardship and security challenges.
In his post, Inojie asserted that aside from a "minute inconsequential few," the overwhelming majority of the 45 ministers in Tinubu's cabinet are "wayfarers and liabilities" to both the president and the Nigerian people. He wrote: “President Bola Tinubu’s ministers are so abysmally decrepit and miserably incompetent that you don’t even know their names or who holds what portfolio. Aside a minute inconsequential few of them, the bulk are at best, wayfarers and liabilities to both their appointing authority and as well the people they were meant to serve.” The actor further alleged that the ministers have resorted to latching onto campaign rallies just “to be seen to be doing something.” He concluded his message with a lament for the state of the nation: “This is where we have found ourselves.” The criticism comes more than two years into Tinubu's first term, a period during which the president has carried out several cabinet reshuffles, including the recent dismissal of Finance Minister Wale Edun and the elevation of Taiwo Oyedele on April 21, 2026.
Inojie's comments echo a persistent public perception that many ministers are either invisible or ineffective. His accusation that citizens cannot name their ministers taps into a common grievance expressed by Nigerians on social media. The statement from the respected actor has rapidly gained traction online, with many users agreeing that a significant portion of the cabinet lacks visibility. This sentiment is not new; critics have previously pointed to what they see as a lack of clear communication from the government about its achievements. The timing of Inojie’s outburst is significant, coming just days after a cabinet reshuffle that was meant to inject new energy into the administration. The president recently sacked the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Housing, a move many saw as an admission of underperformance in critical sectors.
The reaction from the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been conspicuously muted. As of the time of this report, neither the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy nor the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has issued a direct rebuttal to the actor’s claims. This silence stands in contrast to the government’s previous swift responses to criticism from public figures. The lack of an immediate rejoinder suggests that the administration may be treating the outburst as the opinion of an entertainer rather than a formal political threat. However, given the widespread nature of the complaint Inojie articulated, ignoring the underlying sentiment could prove politically costly as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Inojie’s foray into political commentary is not entirely unprecedented. The actor has a history of weighing in on national issues, often with a focus on governance and competence. In the run-up to the 2023 elections, he was a vocal advocate for voting based on competence rather than ethnic or religious sentiments, a stance that was interpreted by many as an endorsement of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate whom he openly supported. In 2022, he famously urged Nigerians not to vote based on religion or ethnicity, stating that such practices belonged to the past. He has also previously lamented the state of insecurity and the failure of leadership to protect citizens. This background suggests that his current criticism of the Tinubu administration is part of a long-standing personal conviction about what constitutes good governance, rather than a sudden or opportunistic attack.
The controversy has been seized upon by opposition figures and civil society organizations. Critics of the president have long argued that his cabinet is bloated with political appointees who lack the technical expertise to manage the nation’s complex challenges. They point to the ongoing crises of economic stagnation, rising unemployment, and widespread insecurity as evidence of policy failure at the highest level. Supporters of the president, however, have dismissed Inojie’s comments as the uninformed opinion of an entertainer, arguing that many ministers have been working diligently on reforms that are yet to bear fruit. They note that cabinet reshuffles are a normal part of governance and that the president has shown a willingness to drop underperforming officials, as seen in the recent dismissal of the finance minister.
The actor’s use of the word “decrepit” is particularly striking, as it implies not just incompetence but a state of decay and obsolescence. This language is likely to resonate with a younger demographic that feels disconnected from the political elite. The mention of ministers being “wayfarers” suggests a lack of direction and purpose, painting a picture of a government that is wandering aimlessly without a clear plan for national development. In the Nigerian political context, where visibility and grassroots connection are often crucial for public support, Inojie’s claim that ministers hide behind campaign rallies is a sharp accusation that the government has prioritized politicking over governance.
The role of celebrities in shaping political discourse in Nigeria has grown significantly in recent years. Following the lead of figures like musician Innocent Idibia (2Baba) and actor Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Inojie’s intervention highlights a trend where entertainment personalities are increasingly willing to risk backlash to voice political discontent. Unlike professional politicians, these figures often command a level of trust and reach that allows them to amplify public grievances beyond the confines of traditional political rallies. Inojie’s statement, which has been shared thousands of times across various platforms, has effectively forced the issue of ministerial performance back into the national conversation.
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, Inojie’s criticism serves as a warning to the ruling party that public patience may be wearing thin. The actor’s assertion that Nigerians cannot name their ministers is not merely an insult but a commentary on a deeper disconnect between the government and the governed. Whether the Tinubu administration chooses to engage with this critique or dismiss it, the underlying question remains: what exactly have the ministers been doing, and why are their efforts not visible to the average citizen? For now, the spotlight is on the presidency to see if it will address these allegations or allow the narrative of an “invisible cabinet” to take root.
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