- He highlighted these issues during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central District in the Eighth National Assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu to avoid repeating the mistakes made by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, particularly in the area of cabinet management.
After officially assuming office from Buhari on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu faces scrutiny over his cabinet picks.
Sani, a well-known activist, recently highlighted these issues during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
Sani criticised the Buhari administration, saying: “The eight-year tenure of the former military Head of State was riddled with nepotism and incompetence, especially in terms of governance, security and economic policies.”
He said: “I will advise President Tinubu to be careful not to make the mistakes of President Buhari, and I think he has the experience to understand it. “Under President Buhari, there are ministers who were appointed in office for eight years.
“They were with him during the first and second terms, and there was no cabinet reshuffle or dismissal. Even if there is a dismissal, it takes three to four months to replace a minister. That was how the country was governed. Under Buhari, we have seen nepotism at its peak, when people were appointed to public positions and left behind even if they did nothing.”
“Service chiefs were retained in their posts despite their failures, and in retaining them, the careers of those behind them were destroyed. For many years, many officers were removed to appoint a single person. If this country is to move forward, we must treat the question of competence as the qualification for appointment.”
The former senator’s comments come amid mounting criticism of President Tinubu’s cabinet, which has been accused of failing to meet expectations during a period of significant economic hardship.
Notably, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has been without a minister since Betta Edu was suspended on January 8, 2024.
