By Nigerian News24 staff
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on President Bola Tinubu to steer clear of nepotism in making key appointments.
Speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television on Thursday, Senator Sani cautioned the President against following a pattern common among many African leaders, where key positions are disproportionately allocated to individuals from their own ethnic group.
“I would advise President Asiwaju to tread carefully. He should avoid that path because, across Africa, it has become a political norm that when someone assumes office, they fill major positions with people from their ethnic group. It’s happening everywhere,” he said.
He added, “Leadership should be seen as a call to service, not an opportunity to dominate or reward one’s own group. Power should not be perceived as a conquest that entitles one to install their people across all key positions.”
Senator Sani’s comments come amid growing criticism directed at President Tinubu over what many Nigerians — including opposition figures and some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — view as ethnically imbalanced appointments within his administration.
Critics have accused the President of favouring individuals from his Yoruba ethnic group in selecting members of his cabinet and other high-level government positions — a claim the Presidency has repeatedly denied.
Earlier, APC Senator Ali Ndume had also voiced concern, accusing the Tinubu administration of violating the federal character principle enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. He warned that the trend, if not corrected, could have serious national implications.
In response, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Ndume’s claims, accusing the Borno South senator of spreading misinformation and engaging in hypocrisy.
Senator Sani, during the interview, also took a swipe at some opposition politicians, accusing them of selective outrage.
“I would respect the moral stance of the opposition more if they had also spoken out when similar imbalances were perpetrated by leaders from their own ethnic group. If you were silent when it favoured you but now raise your voice when it doesn’t, then your motives are questionable,” he said.