As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration comes under growing criticism for allegedly favoring the southwest in political appointments, former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has come to the president’s defense insisting that the immediate past administration under Muhammadu Buhari was far more nepotistic.
Sani made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he countered allegations raised by several northern politicians, including Senator Ali Ndume, who recently described Tinubu’s government as “non-inclusive.”
Reacting, Sani said Nigerians were quick to forget the lopsided nature of appointments under Buhari.
“It’s clear that we have short memories in this country. We easily forget what happened during Buhari’s time in power,” the former senator stated.
He pointed out that during Buhari’s eight-year tenure, dozens of sensitive positions were held by individuals from his home state, Katsina.
“For example, the DG of the SSS, Daura, was from Katsina; the DG of NIA, Rufai, was from Katsina; the MPA, my sister Hadiza, is from Katsina; Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Katsina; SMEDAN, Katsina; FRCN, Katsina; NIMET, Katsina; NIMASA, Katsina; the Railway Corporation, Katsina — the list goes on,” he said.
Sani further highlighted the northern dominance in the nation’s security architecture during Buhari’s rule.
“At one point, the Controller General of Immigration, Babandede, was from northern Nigeria; the Customs head, Hamid Ali, was from northern Nigeria; the Civil Defense boss, Audi, was from northern Nigeria; the Chairman of the Federal Road Safety Corps, from northern Nigeria; the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, from northern Nigeria; the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, both from northern Nigeria,” he recalled.
According to the former lawmaker, many of those now speaking against Tinubu were silent when similar or worse actions benefitted their regions.
“I would respect your stance on this issue if you had spoken out when nepotism benefitted you and your people,” he said. “But when it worked in your favor, you remained quiet, and now you speak out when it doesn’t.”
While Sani acknowledged that Tinubu’s administration must be fair and avoid repeating the mistakes of his predecessor, he insisted that critics should not pretend Buhari’s tenure set a better example.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said, “but we must be honest. Buhari set a dangerous precedent, and what we are seeing today is just a continuation of that path.”
Sani advised President Tinubu to tread cautiously and ensure inclusivity across all regions to maintain national unity.
“President Tinubu must not repeat Buhari’s model. Nigeria is too fragile for favoritism,” he warned.