Shehu Sani criticizes Tinubu’s policies after initially supporting him
Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna State who previously offered cautious support and advice to President Bola Tinubu, has recently become openly critical of Tinubu’s policies and decisions.
Sani condemned Tinubu’s refusal to investigate military spending during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, calling it an act of shielding corruption and rewarding larceny.
He pointed out the contradiction in probing the Central Bank of Nigeria while ignoring alleged mismanagement in the military under Buhari.
He also warned Tinubu against repeating Buhari’s mistakes, especially regarding nepotism, incompetence, and lack of cabinet reshuffles.
Sani stressed that appointments should be based on competence, not ethnicity or loyalty, and criticized the retention of underperforming officials, a practice he associated with Buhari’s tenure.
On Appointments and Ethnic Favoritism:
Sani has urged Tinubu to avoid ethnic favoritism in key appointments, a pattern he said is prevalent in African politics.
He warned that filling major positions with people from one’s ethnic group undermines national unity and competence.
While he has criticized Tinubu for allegedly favoring his Yoruba ethnic group in appointments, Sani also called out opposition figures for hypocrisy, noting that many were silent when similar practices benefited their own groups.
Economic Policies and Public Reaction:
Sani has commented on the economic hardship under Tinubu’s administration, particularly criticizing northern traditional rulers for only speaking out against hardship now, after remaining silent during Buhari’s era.
The former Senator insisted that President Bola Tinubu will continue to be unpopular until his policies start showing positive results in Nigeria.
According to Sani, Tinubu is embarking on a project he knows very well he will be unpopular.
He stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
“When I stood up in the parliament to speak about the insecurity in the north, I faced serious resistance from senators from northern part of Nigeria.
“You were expected to be quite and embrace whatever it is because the president came from your region.
“Tinubu is embarking on a project he knows very well he will be unpopular. You either do two things: please people by doing what the people want, or to look at the future of the country where we are heading to and lose some popularity or votes for you to achieve it.
“Tinubu will continue to be unpopular untill the results of the reform start coming out,” Sani said.
