By Zara Maisango
In a candid interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Shehu Sani, the former Senator representing Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu. Sani urged Tinubu to avoid the pitfalls of nepotism and incompetence that plagued the administration of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Sani emphasized the importance of prioritizing competence in appointments to achieve tangible results that would propel the nation forward. Reflecting on Buhari’s tenure from May 2015 to May 2023, he remarked, "Nepotism was at its peak yet results were not produced in key areas of governance, particularly security, economy, education, and healthcare."
He advised Tinubu to heed these lessons, noting that Buhari's administration was marked by a lack of cabinet reshuffles and prolonged delays in appointing replacements for removed ministers. This, Sani argued, hampered effective governance. He highlighted that under Buhari, ministers served for the entirety of his eight-year tenure without significant changes, which stifled progress.
Sani criticized the retention of service chiefs despite their failures, a move that he said damaged the careers of many capable officers who were forced into early retirement. This practice, according to Sani, exemplified the detrimental effects of nepotism and inefficiency.
He stressed the necessity of competency-based appointments for Nigeria to advance. Sani also pointed out the persistent underdevelopment in northern Nigeria, attributing it to the failure of political leaders from the region to utilize their power for the benefit of their constituents. He lamented that despite the considerable political influence wielded by leaders in the North, it had not been harnessed to improve the lives of the people.
Sani’s critique serves as a poignant reminder of the need for meritocracy in governance, urging President Tinubu to chart a new course that prioritizes skill and effectiveness over favoritism.
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