In a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yabagi Sani, National Chairman of IPAC, criticised Tinubu’s choices, particularly after his struggle for Nigeria’s restoration to democracy in the 1990s.
With the unveiling of President Bola Tinubu’s 47 cabinet nominees on Wednesday, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) expressed worry over the list, particularly the nomination of seven former governors, two of whom lost their recent re-election campaigns.
The list featured one-term governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), as well as their two-term counterparts, Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).
In a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yabagi Sani, National Chairman of IPAC, criticised Tinubu’s choices, particularly after his struggle for Nigeria’s restoration to democracy in the 1990s.
“How can you come and then embark on policies that you know are anti-people, and then put people you know?” he asked.
“Some of the people he appointed as ministers were rejected by the people; some of them contested and were rejected.”
“How can you bring them back through the back door and say they must preside over the affairs of the people?” That is not the kind of country we want to lead. We must start by instilling trust in Nigerians.”
No Nigerian, he claims, is impressed by the President’s cabinet picks.
“I’m disappointed – awfully disappointed – because, as I said, Mr President, Tinubu, is behaving differently than I expected of him,” he remarked.
‘Jumping on Clichés’
Ayo Oyalowo, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who appeared on the show with the IPAC chairman, said that the former governors selected as ministers were undeserved.
In his opinion, there is remuneration on the one hand and competence on the other.
“Sometimes we want to jump on clichés. “Whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim, you’re serving God because there’s a benefit to it,” Oyalowo explained.
“If people are in politics, they are looking for something, so I don’t see anything wrong with people receiving benefits from where they actually worked.” For example, some of these governors worked for him to gain his mandate.”
The APC member argued that he was impressed with the nominees and that several of them brought expertise to the table.
“I believe they will run the economy – someone like Wale Edun, for example – very impressive name, great resume, excellent track record.” “Those are the people I expect to run the economy,” he remarked.
