Shehu Sani cautions Tinubu against ethnic bias in appointments, condemns tribal politics
A former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned President Bola Tinubu against following the trend of appointing individuals predominantly from his ethnic group into key government positions, a practice he said has plagued leadership across Africa.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Sani urged the President to embrace inclusivity and avoid what he described as “tribal dominance” in government appointments.
“I will say that President Asiwaju should also be very careful. He shouldn’t toe that line because it has been in African political geography that each time a person takes over position of office, he fills the major positions with people from his ethnic group and it is happening everywhere,” the senator said.
Sani’s comments come amid growing criticism from Nigerians, including opposition leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over what they describe as lopsided appointments by President Tinubu in favor of his Yoruba ethnic group. Among those who have voiced concerns is Senator Ali Ndume, who accused the administration of violating the federal character principle.
However, the presidency, through Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the criticism, accusing Ndume of hypocrisy and misinformation.
Sani also took aim at what he described as selective outrage among political opponents, criticizing those who were silent when similar appointments favored their ethnic group but are now outspoken because they feel excluded.
“I would appreciate the morality of the opposition if I can hear your voice when your own man from your tribe, from your ethnic group were perpetrating those evil and you stood against it,” he said. “When you keep quiet when it favoured you and now you speak out when it doesn’t, it means you have other intentions.”
On a personal political note, Senator Sani confirmed his return to the APC, after defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He attributed his earlier departure to the toxic political climate under the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whom he accused of leading the party in a divisive manner.
