If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hit the ground running, it was because problems chased him into office. Yet, it wasn’t long before he tripped on a matter in which his genius has been acknowledged: forming his cabinet. 

One of his credentials for eight years as governor of Lagos, and even outside public office for 16 years, has been his gift for spotting talents and putting them to work. 

He campaigned on this record in the last election. You can therefore imagine the disappointment in some circles when he not only waited 60 days, nearly exhausting the time allowed by law, but then went on to release in two instalments, lists that have been widely criticised as an appeasement to the “old brigade.”

There are, of course, bright spots with a few professionals and proven hands. But a cabinet which features nine former governors, a number of who had lost elections or had been ministers before, gives the impression that Tinubu’s genius for talent hunting may have been captured by vested interests on the national stage. Has Abuja, the graveyard of good intentions, done its worst? Is Tinubu undone by pressure? Or are there forces in his inner circle taking advantage of the chaos to grab power?

Reality is more nuanced. We’ve been here before, over 20 years ago. Tinubu was not in charge at the centre then. He was governor in Lagos, a complex place to govern no doubt, but far less so than the “beast” called the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also faced with choices similar to those that Tinubu wrestled for 60 days. It’s easy to forget now, but Obasanjo’s choice of ministers in his first term, much like those of Shehu Shagari in 1979, gives an idea of what potentially confronts a new president, especially one that is a product of a fragile and fraught political transition. 

In hindsight, Obasanjo is applauded for assembling perhaps what has, so far, been the best collection of ministers in the last nearly four decades.

But it was not so when he first got into office. For those who despise politicians intensely, sometimes with reasons, it might be useful to remember that Obasanjo’s first collection of ministers was a shambles of strange bedfellows. It was spiced with Second Republic politicians retrieved from the museums, and former military governors and army generals who ran the country before the #Endsars generation was born.

I’m not kidding. Obasanjo’s first list of ministers contained such names as General David Jemibewon; General TY Danjuma; Tony Anenih; Col. Mohamed Bello Kaliel (rtd); Adamu Ciroma; Iyorchia Ayu, Dapo Sarumi; Alabo Graham-Douglas; Bola Ige; Sunday Afolabi; Hassan Adamu; and Haliru Bello.

Even Ojo Maduekwe, one of the masterminds of Daniel Kanu’s two-million-man march who threatened to go on exile if General Sani Abacha did not run for office, also made Obasanjo’s ministerial list. It was that unwieldy.

If the team were a flight crew, not many would have been comfortable to fly. Obasanjo knew that but had his reasons for choosing them. The country was just transiting from decades of military rule. He needed politicians who understood the country, and also military-politicians who could help him stabilise things and keep soldiers at bay, while he launched a shuttle diplomacy to rebuild the country’s battered image.

But trust Obasanjo, the old fox. Once he got his footing and at least part-paid his political IOUs, he shuffled his cabinet within months, followed by another shuffle in his second year, in which he weeded out a number of the worst performers. 

By his second term in 2003, the cub in him had become a tiger drawing in some of the best talents, but also making mince-meat of a good number, including his deputy, Atiku Abubakar. It’s a story triumphantly told in three volumes of Obasanjo’s book, My Watch.

It’s fair to feel disappointed by a few nominees in Tinubu’s lists who make the legend of Robin Hood look like a child’s play. Some have also expressed concern about the role of Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who has obviously set a new record as the country’s most expensive bespoke delivery service for political nominees’ list. 

Not a few curious eyebrows were raised when LEADERSHIP reported exclusively, for example, that against the ethics of international courier service, and in the midst of the screening, the integrity of the nominee lists was nearly undermined by allegations of “package tampering!”

I was genuinely concerned that the controversial news reports from the office of the Chief of Staff could make Mike Oghiadomhe, former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, look like an amateur. I’m not sure any Chief of Staff since 1999 has assumed and executed with a comparable degree of passion the task of dispatching nominees’ lists the way Gbajabiamila has done so far.  

Those who know him well, famously called Gbaja-philes in Villa-pedia, however insist that his performance is out of the goodness of his heart; and so, I won’t let anyone put words into my mouth or ideas in my head about his sterling qualities. 

Since the Chief of Staff has taken over the function of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Liaison to the National Assembly as his own contribution to a leaner government, it is my humble submission that the positions of the two SSAs should be scrapped forthwith, at least to appease Labour. 

It is concerning, however, that at a time when Tinubu needs a strong inner circle to get things done, reports of a civil war, with his Chief of Staff at the heart of it, continue to engulf his government. From the election of presiding and principal officers in the 10th National Assembly to the nomination of ministers and God-knows-what-else, the story has been one of near complete Gbaja-nisation!

Yet, Tinubu’s job is cut out for him. He cannot blame anyone for what becomes of his presidency. If choosing the right team helped him get a lot done when he was much younger and stronger, then he needs that gift even more desperately in the midst of the present chaos. 

The tough, but necessary decisions he has taken already mean that if he has his eye on legacy, never mind a second term, then there’s very little time to settle IOUs or indulge internal strife. 

That’s not all. It also means that while Tinubu would hardly get any credit if the suspects in his cabinet perform, he would be blamed squarely if they fail and he alone would bear the brunt of the difference between expediency and necessity.

All said, when our obsession with Abuja has faded, perhaps in a week or two after the ministers have been assigned portfolios, we must quickly turn our attention to the states, a number of which offer the premium version of the atrocities we saw on the national stage in the last one week.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)  is disturbed by the developments unfolding in the Republic of Niger following the  seizure of power by the military from a duly democratically elected leader- His Excellency, Muhammed Bazoum through a coup d‘etat.

The Coup, which has attracted several reactions and different degrees of sanctions from nations and supranational institutions such as the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), has socio-economic negative implications for both Nigerians and Nigeriens especially as we share common history and borders. The Council observes with dismay, that although the military junta in Niger has remained defiant, ECOWAS has just lately further imposed more stringent sanctions against it. But it is well known that such kinds of economic sanctions are counter-productive and eventually end in futility. It is the masses that do suffer the pains and difficulties of the sanctions while the junta that seizes power takes control of state resources and begins a life of indulgence. The Council therefore, calls on ECOWAS and in particular, the Nigerian Government to retrace their steps in this regard to avoid correcting wrong with another.

While Nigeria spearheads the imposition and heaping of sanctions on Niger it should be reminded of the thousands of Nigerian refugees to whom Niger provided succor and safe abode for several years now. This is undoubtedly an act of good neighbourliness, rare hospitality and kindness that should not be reciprocated with measures that would cause disaffection, breed hate and hostility and aggravate the sufferings of the downtrodden people across both sides of the borders. 

While it is understandable that the leadership of both ECOWAS and Nigeria must preserve and protect democracy by discouraging forceful take-over of power through military coup d’état, the NSCIA strongly implores the Federal Government of Nigeria and by extension the leadership of ECOWAS to continue to tread the path of dialogue rather than resorting to violence. This is because violence does more harm than the intended good in any circumstance. Should violence break out in Niger, it is the helpless and hapless masses, who have already been devastated and impoverished by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the world economy, that would pay the very costly price, not the coup plotters.

It is pertinent to state here that Nigeria has not gotten away with its own intractable issues and challenges of insecurity and violence that have been causing death incessantly, displacing millions and destroying livelihood in states that share borders with Niger. The Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and the banditry in the Northwest have not been subdued. Given this situation it would not only take a dance on the precipice to  embark on military expedition at this material time, but would also smack of ingratitude to a neighbor that had consistently remained faithful in helping and supporting us in our fight against those extreme groups and criminal gangs.

The Council has consciously and keenly followed the reactions that have trailed the rather belligerent stand of the ECOWAS and its resolutions that include possible use of violence in Niger. It can be asserted without fear of contradiction that Nigerians are very much united against military intervention in Niger. Many religious and civil society groups across religious, ethnic and regional divides, as well as elder statesmen and retired military veterans and security experts have all categorically rejected the use of violence in intervening in Niger. In this regard, the Council hereby reiterates the need to pursue peace by peaceful means as any war between Nigeria and Niger would severely strain the fraternal relationship between the two countries which dates back to the pre-colonial era. There is therefore, no option to dialogue, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

The Council prays that Almighty Allah would grant our leaders the wisdom and ability to resolve the crisis in Niger in a peaceful manner. May He also bestow peace upon us in Nigeria and the region at large.

Signed.

Prof. Salisu Shehu

Deputy Secretary-General

Azman Air has sent all of its staff on a compulsory leave without pay, indefinitely.

Nurudden Aliyu, the airline’s spokesperson, said the decision was made due to a number of factors, including the ongoing C-checks on its aircraft and the high cost of operations.

In aviation, C-check is a deep inspection of the majority of an aircraft’s components usually done by a maintenance technician. The goal is to check the functionality of the plane.

“We have temporarily suspended operations due to all our 737 used for domestic operation being due for C-checks,” Aliyu said.

“We have already sent two of them to a maintenance facility in Turkey, but unfortunately, since we sent the aircraft there, there is a queue in the maintenance hanger and they were not able to finish in time.

“The other two we are using here are also due for maintenance and we are trying to send them for C-checks also.

“Also, one of the aircraft has achieved 90 percent completion so we are expecting two of the aircraft back in October.”

‘AZMAN AIR FACING FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS’

Aliyu further said the airline is facing financial difficulties due to a lack of revenue, explaining that sending workers on leave without pay was a way to cut costs.

“We have been doing on-and-off operations since March, sometimes with one aircraft. So we decided, due to this harsh situation, to temporarily suspend domestic operation until we put our house in order,” the spokesperson said.

“We are not going to employ another set of people, we are going to engage them; that’s why in the mail sent to them we gave them assurance that once the situation normalises, they will be called upon.

“The only problem is that we didn’t state the date of resumption. Like I said, since March that we have been doing on-and-off operation, we have not denied anybody salaries, we have been consistent in that regard but the burden became too much on the company since there is no revenue, that’s why we decided to suspend operations.”

‘WORKING TO REFUND CUSTOMERS FOR CANCELLED FLIGHTS’

In the past months, a lot of Nigerians have shared their ordeal with Azman Air, accusing the airline of cancelling their flights and refusing to make refunds.

Aliyu, speaking on the matter, said the airline has made it a priority to process the payment for those that have applied for a refund and that they hope to complete the process upon resumption.

“We are working on that and we are going to pay everybody. In fact, that’s what we are working on now, to pay those that have refund cases with us,” he said.

“The payment will be made to those that apply to get a refund. Once your flight is cancelled we have a refund form that customers are meant to fill. It’s only the customers that fill this form that can be refunded.

“We are determined to make payment to everyone we are owing and we hope to clear that upon our resumption.”

If there is an issue everyone—and I mean everyone—agrees on, it is that the cost of running the government needs urgent and radical pruning. One of the most topical issues in the public service system, administrative cost, is also where the government’s indecisiveness is highly exemplified. So it was no surprise when, on Monday, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, reported President Bola Tinubu’s justification for having an even more expanded cabinet. Ajaero, during their meeting with the president on the pressing issues of the fallouts of his policies, had tasked him with reducing the number of tentative ministers. Tinubu responded that, as labour union leaders, they ought to view his bloated cabinet from the perspective of job creation. The other borderline revelation from Ajaero was that Tinubu claims that to save money, he lives in a two-bedroom apartment, and had offered to use his private jet (instead of the official one) and reduce the number of vehicles in his motorcade. The last two proposals, he claimed, were denied because of security concerns.

If Tinubu believes appointing 48 ministers with the ripple effect of more appointments of a retinue—all shades of aides and special assistants who will also hire their own aides with added perks such as furniture, wardrobe, housing, car allowances and estacodes—will have a significant impact on the unemployment crisis, we should all flinch on his behalf. Was it not just last week that his Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, lamented the Federal Government’s personnel cost of N5tn before a legislative committee? Did he also forget that he promised a structural review of the civil service payroll just a few days ago? Within a few days, he had gone from wishing to purge to becoming flatulent. The inconsistency generating these rogue ideas suggests insincerity. They are already confused by the complexities of the country and cannot figure out which direction to go.

Nigeria’s unemployment situation cannot be impacted by turning bureaucracy into an industry. More than half of the country’s population is either unemployed or un-gainfully employed, how many can the government possibly absorb? Besides, the government does not create jobs by merely taking party loyalists and some of their hangers-on off the streets. The creation of jobs is a consequence of policies that facilitate a conducive environment for private businesses to thrive. Nigeria is not yet at that place; we rank dismally on the global ranking of ease of doing business. Our public administrators, unable to build a system that allows enterprises to breathe, have found a shortcut to generating employment in padding public service. Time and space will not permit a rundown of the worst culprits.

Resolving the problem of an expensive civil service will need far much more than petty gimmicks; it will take an entire administrative attitude. The subject is an old conversation that keeps acquiring currency. In 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee headed by Steve Oronsaye for this same purpose. They delivered an 800-page report detailing wide-ranging reforms. From that point, different administrations have set up implementation committees, reviews of reports, reviews of reviews, White Paper, and so on. Nothing much changed. Between 2016 and now, the cost of running the government in fact increased by about 400 per cent. That was a lot of time and effort spent retrogressing. No wonder we are down to superficial solutions such as the empty symbolism of jettisoning the presidential jet. For a man like Tinubu who has never demonstrated the integrity of separating what belongs to the public from what he owns, it will amount to an error to let him do official business from his private jet. As for his motorcade, cutting down on the unwieldy number of vehicles is far better for him, security wise, than the unwieldy horde he lungs around the FCT.

If he truly wants to make personal sacrifices to contribute his share to reducing the cost of governance, a more meaningful move would be to mobilise his Lagos party members to entirely repeal the odious pension law. That would be a good place to start. It was Tinubu’s last-minute parting gift to himself but has since become a model for other governors who want to eat the future of even unborn children. That he applauded present Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s move to amend the law and slash the benefits does not change the question of why he ever felt the need to take so much for himself. Why sign it into law if not for a lack of conscience? Nigerian leaders hardly know more than smash, grab, and run. While in the office, they take and take and take. When it is time for them to leave that office, they are so frightened by the reality of a life no longer propped up with the sweat and blood of poor people. Their next move is to create pipelines to funnel money from the public purse into their private pockets. It is a madness that keeps exceeding diagnoses.

The pension law that targeted Tinubu as the prime beneficiary is only one of the many acts of authority stealing institutional robbery that needs to be dismantled. Instead of moaning that security concerns keep him from making significant reforms to reduce what he costs the nation as president, how about starting from where your hands are not tied? Like Zacchaeus the tax collector who resolved to refund what he immorally took four times, Tinubu should return every pension he ever took from Lagos with interest. Let the state invest the money in education so some Lagos children can start breathing.

Since his harsh reforms started to suffocate life out of poor people, we have been serially entertained with hired propagandists, talking heads, and faux analysts who run from one soapbox—either on television or social media—to another to enjoin Nigerians to keep enduring suffering for some vague promise of greater glory. Those sermons have become tiring; they assume people they are talking to have enough left to keep sacrificing. If the country will truly advance that way, why should the people already impoverished by the greed of the Nigerian political class keep making all the sacrifices while the privileged get to keep their loot? The pain should be generously circulated across the board. If they are sincere that the sacrifices are worthwhile and there is a promise of abundance at the end, they too should offload some of their own benefits.

The All Progressives Congress cannot, of course, do much about their Peoples Democratic Party counterparts especially at the state levels where all kinds of injustices have been entrenched, but they can work on themselves. It will take some sincerity of purpose, but by making belt-tightening measures for the ruling class they can demonstrate their faith in the abundance that awaits everyone if we can endure some more suffering for some more time. They should pressure themselves to repeal the pension laws that have turned greedy governors (and their deputies) into a raging army of locusts. They should drastically cut down on their perks, fix the number of aides they can appoint to a bare minimum, freeze estacodes, and get rid of outdated privileges like “official cars.” These are lean times; public officers should use their personal cars. When they go on official errands, they can be refunded the cost of petrol and a set amount for wear and tear on their vehicle calculated according to the mileage expended. It is all possible except, of course, but the truth is out of character for them. Their new leader is Abdullahi Ganduje who also does not separate his agbada pockets from the public purse. When he tells you to sacrifice, what he is asking is for your sweat to keep sponsoring their excesses.

Niger currently owes Nigeria N4.22bn ($5.48m: $/N769.27 exchange rate) for power supply; the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s just released first quarter report has stated.

According to the report, Niger’s state power firm, Nigerien Electricity Society, was yet to remit the $5.48m invoice issued for power supply by the Nigerian market operator.

“None of the underlisted international customers made any payment against the cumulative $16.11m invoice issued to them in 2023/Q1; Paras-SBEE ($3.46m), Transcorp-SBEE ($3.85 million), Mainstream-NIGELEC ($5.48m) and Odukpani-CEET ($3.32 million).

“Out of N842.38m invoice issued by MO to all the eight (8) bilateral customers in the NESI, only North-South/Star Pipe made a remittance of N15.38m against its invoice of N24.69m,” it stated.

The NERC mandated the Market Operator to invoke the provision of the market rules to curtail the payment indiscipline being exhibited by the various market participants.

The PUNCH had last week, reported that the power supply from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger was stopped on August 2.

Last week, ECOWAS, led by President Bola Tinubu, decided on sanctions against the military personnel in Niger, who toppled President-elect Mohamed Bazoum in a coup d’état.

NIGELEC is under contract with a power firm in Nigeria, Mainstream Energy, for the supply of electricity.

Nigeria also exports electricity to the Republics of Benin and Niger based on various Transaction Service Agreements.

In July, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria exported about N23.13bn worth of electricity to some neighbouring countries in 2022.

“Nigeria disconnected since Tuesday (last week) the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger,” a report by AFP said, quoting industry sources through local production.

According to a report by NIGELEC, Niger’s sole electricity supplier, in 2022, 70 per cent of Niger’s share of electricity came from purchases from the Nigerian company – Mainstream.

Electricity supplied to Niger is produced in Kainji Dam located in Niger State.

However, to free itself from its energy dependence on Nigeria, Niger is working to complete its first dam by 2025.

Located about 180km upstream from Niamey, the Kandadji Dam is projected to generate 629 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

A separate report by the BBC also said major cities in Niger are facing rolling blackouts following last week’s coup.

Residents of Niamey, Maradi and Zinder had power for about an hour at a time before it was switched off for up to five hours. Power cuts like these are unusual in Niger, which normally has regular and reliable supplies.

The President of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network and Coordinator, of Power Sector Perspectives, Kunle Olubiyo, confirmed that ECOWAS would isolate Niger Republic from the electricity supply.

“About 60 per cent of power supply to Niger comes from Nigeria. Just like organised labour usually shuts down the national power grid as part of negotiations when all appeals might have failed to achieve results, Mr President (Tinubu) is the leader of ECOWAS at the moment.

“Disconnection of power supply is seen as a low-hanging fruit,” he stated.

Tougher times are ahead of gas consumers, as marketers have hinted that prices will go up next week.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Olatunbosun Oladapo, said gas consumers should brace themselves for price hikes starting next week.

He cited rising international prices, high tax rates and prices of vessels, forex scarcity, and naira devaluation as some of the reasons for the intended price review.

“It is starting next week because international prices have gone up. The prices of vessels have gone up and taxes are high, but consumers are not earning more.

“Their purchasing power has gone down. Everybody is crying. Consumers, middlemen, and retailers are feeling the impact because business is now on the low side,” he said.

Olatunbosun described the imminent price increment as unfortunate.

“The situation is very unfortunate because prices are going higher. Nigerian consumers are passing through very difficult times because they can no longer afford gas,” he added.

According to him, consumers are now returning to firewood, charcoal, and sawdust for cooking.

“The government should come in and alleviate the suffering of the masses by providing palliatives, reducing taxes and levies.

“You can imagine that for every 1kg of gas priced at N700, tax would take way N3.50. How much is left in such a business?” he continued.

He urged the government to tax profit and not products because consumers were not buying gas anymore.

“Local taxes are worsening the problem,” he said, calling on marketers who had the opportunity to buy products locally to fix prices with “consumers’ sympathy” in mind.

His reaction came on the heels of findings by The PUNCH that vessel scarcity in the international market would push up local prices of Liquified Natural Gas, also known as cooking gas in the coming months.

Vessel scarcity in the international market has led to charter rate hikes, ahead of the 2023 winter, when demand for heating fuel peaks.

As of August 1, 2023, charter rates surged to $284,750 per day for November and $206,750/day for October, quadrupling the current price of $70,500/day, according to data from Spark Commodities quoted by Bloomberg.

“Tanker supplies are increasingly tight because traders are using the ships as floating storage in a bet that LNG prices will rise as the weather turns colder.

“Volatile shipping rates can eat up margin for an LNG trader looking to cash in on higher winter prices, and rising transportation costs ultimately can mean higher prices for buyers in Europe and Asia.”

The number of LNG vessels floating on the water for at least 20 days also rose in late July, with 42 vessels tracked, which is about 27 per cent higher than the same time a year earlier.

Nigerian LPG prices are internationally benchmarked based on Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Contract prices and are always influenced by international prices.

And like other internationally traded commodities subjected to price fluctuations due to market dynamics, the NLNG CP is subject to changes and can be reviewed either upwards or downwards at least once to three times.

The devaluation of the local currency would also impact the domestic price of LPG.

The dollar exchanged for N749.62 on Wednesday, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Nigerian LNG usually sells the cooking gas it produces locally to off-takers based on the prevailing exchange rate.

The PUNCH checks showed that the prices of 20 metric tonnes of LPG at the major depots in Apapa, Lagos, between July 28 and August 7 had been between N10.7m and 11m.

Local consumers of cooking gas have for some months now enjoyed low prices due to a drop in international prices.

The price of LPG dropped from an average of N730 per kilogram in June to around N600/kg in July and increased to N750/kg in August due to the naira devaluation.

As of June, the price dropped by 76.1 per cent to 2.10 per one million British Thermal Units on May 31 from 8.78 per one million BTU, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics on retail gas prices said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas decreased by 6.71 per cent month-on-month from N4,360.69 recorded in May to N4,068.26 in June.

I had never heard the name Maryam Shetty before the second batch of the ministerial list was sent to the Senate. But in the past one week, I have been told several tales (mostly street gossip) about her. That is not unexpected in a patriarchal (and largely hypocritical) society where women are easily defamed. And in a sensational move last Friday, Shetty’s name was dropped from the ministerial list and replaced by another woman from Kano. That the presidency would not have the decency to inform her of the decision (allowing Shetty to arrive the Senate for her confirmation session with fanfare) was what I found most callous. It is also quite telling of the current dysfunctionality at the Villa.

A day after she was dropped, Shetty spoke to her embarrassing elimination by substitution. “I have found myself at the centre of a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political landscape. President Tinubu, in a move that brought me immense honour, chose me as a ministerial nominee. Coming from the traditional, conservative region of northern Nigeria, this represented a significant stride towards a more inclusive national representation,” she started her take on the unfortunate drama. “Yet, life, with its characteristic unpredictability, led to the withdrawal of my nomination. To some, this could seem like a setback, but my faith as a devout Muslim guided my understanding. I saw it as the divine will of Allah, who I believe grants power as He wishes, when He wishes. His plans are always superior to ours.”

Shetty ended her statement with appreciation to both the president and vice president as well as to those who supported her. She then expressed hope in her future, with the assurance that the disappointment would not shake her faith in Nigeria. “This phase of my life has instilled in me a deeper sense of resilience, faith, and the value of service beyond titles and positions. It has reaffirmed my belief in the potential for change and in the inherent greatness of Nigeria. The dream is still alive, and my commitment to our nation remains steadfast.”

Shetty deserves commendation for her graciousness after being dealt such a heavy blow. Unfortunately, rather than allow the sleeping dog to lie, the new All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje decided to stoke a needless fire. “Maryam Shetty’s name emerged from the top, and since Mr President has the right to do as he wishes and we are his followers, one has to be patient; we did not object to it. She was not well-known to us,” Ganduje told some assembled journalists last Saturday in Kano. “We could not appraise her. But suddenly she (Shetty) came under attack on social media. People questioned her integrity and experience, with many of them doubting her credentials to represent Kano at the national level. There were growing disaffections. The dissatisfaction is not from Ganduje, but the people of Kano.”

It is interesting to note that a ministerial candidate could be dropped because of social media posts by politicians who we all know have scant regard for public opinion, except when it suits their purpose. But let’s go to the question of Shetty’s credentials and integrity raised by Ganduje. Considering that Shetty has never held any public position before, I doubt if anyone would allege that she took dollar bribes or more egregiously, tried to hide such loot under her wrapper. I am also not aware that Shetty has ever publicly threatened anybody with physical violence. Besides, if integrity and credentials were indeed preconditions for ministerial appointment, there are not many among the 48 names who are more qualified than Shetty. Nor do I consider her less worthy than the other women on the list. And where did the people of Kano gather to say Shetty cannot represent them?

The idea that a social media campaign led to Shetty being dropped is rather ridiculous, especially coming from Ganduje. If the negative things that have been written and said about the former Kano governor in the past four years really matter to those who dropped Shetty, Ganduje would not be in the position he now occupies. I invite readers to find the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) statement following Ganduje’s coronation as APC national chairman last week. It is not from my mouth that anybody would hear that the teacher’s mother is a witch, as they used to teach us in those good old days in the village! But Ganduje was not done with his hatchet job against a woman young enough to be his daughter: “President Bola Tinubu’s attention was drawn to the torrent of criticisms greeting Shetty’s nomination. The president asked whether I had nominated Shetty. I said no. He asked how then her name appeared on the list. I told him I had no idea whatsoever.”

The president knew nothing about the woman he was to appoint a minister or how she emerged on the list, according to one of his closest henchmen and current national chairman of the ruling party! Nothing can be more damning. We are talking about a nomination to the federal executive council, whose members will superintend critical sectors for the president. One oga ‘from the top’ (Ganduje’s words, not mine) just inserted Shetty’s name. You begin to wonder how many names got on the list in such manner.

The decision-making process at the villa, going by what Ganduje said next, raises so many questions. “When he asked whether there was a need to replace her, I answered in the affirmative, because the ministerial slot requires someone with integrity, knowledge, experience, and commitment to the party – what one contributed to the making of the Tinubu administration. To satisfy these requirements, we are in the best position to nominate somebody from Kano. Even if someone recommended somebody, we should have been consulted on the matter.”

At a period when our country is going through serious challenges with hope that the next federal executive council will be peopled by those who will contribute ideas to improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians and influence social change, Ganduje has told us the factors informing the choice of ministerial nominees. Stripped of all pretensions, Shetty might have been dropped because, from what is now in the public domain, she was a social media cheer leader for former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s presidential aspiration and only switched to Tinubu after the APC primaries. So, Ganduje is invariably saying, “Shetty did not work for us from the beginning of ‘Project Emilokan’; she cannot now just come to eat.”

In his 30th July column, ‘Matters Arising from Tinubu’s Partial Ministerial List’, Waziri Adio wrote that despite all the drama and the suspense around it, Tinubu’s ministerial list landed ‘not with a bang but a whimper’ to the disappointment of many Nigerians. “Save for the presence of a few clearly exceptional nominees, the incomplete list left many Nigerians with a hollow feeling: ‘is this it—is this the list that took the president almost all of the allowed time to compile and send, is this what we have been anxiously waiting for?’” To Waziri, and this is a view shared by many, Tinubu’s ministerial list “looks like a settlement/compensation list”, adding that the president “comes off as placing more priority on rewarding those who, within and outside his party, worked for his victory and the long-term aides who need to be compensated for staying the course with him.”

That much has now been confirmed by Ganduje who concluded his diatribe with how he nominated his former commissioner for higher education to replace Shetty. “We are happy because the people of Kano are happy with the current development,” he said even as readers may wonder who conducted the poll to sample how happy or sad the people of Kano are about dropping Shetty’s name from the ministerial list.

I don’t know the Shetty lady, but she can hold her head high. She has not committed any crime to warrant the humiliation she suffered, even if she lobbied her way to the list—as many others also did. But Shetty is not even the issue for me. The real concern here is how much control President Tinubu has over his own government. After the inglorious era of ‘I am not aware’, Nigerians would not want to be saddled with another set of proxy and shadow presidents who will be making critical appointments behind their principal. Yet, the overall handling of the ministerial list is, to put it mildly, disgraceful. Even in the case of Shetty, the lack of diligence and thoroughness is reflected in the fact that it was her nickname rather than the real surname, Shettima Ibrahim, that appeared on the list sent to the Senate.

Leadership recruitment at the highest level of governance, which nomination into the federal cabinet represents, is different from hiring for routine jobs. Unfortunately, except for a few good men and women, the next federal executive council appears more of an APC pork sharing list than the team of a serious new government. Indeed, from what we have witnessed in recent weeks, the entire process was so banal that just about anybody can be a minister in Nigeria if you know someone ‘from the top’. That’s the real takeaway from the Shetty fiasco which Ganduje and fellow travellers cannot see. Otherwise, he would have kept quiet.

In a statement he personally signed on 16^th March, then as president-elect, Tinubu promised to assemble a cabinet driven only by competence and that he would be blind to other considerations. “There have been talks of a government of national unity” he wrote in the statement that delighted many neutrals. “My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. The day for political gamesmanship is long gone.” Securing Nigeria and working for its prosperity, according to Tinubu, “must be our top priorities. We cannot sacrifice these goals to political expediency. The whims of politics must take a backseat to the imperatives of governance.”

Thanks to Ganduje, we now know that was just another audio promise!

2023 Teens Conference

Online registration for the 2023 edition of the teens career conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) will be closed by this weekend. The conference holds next week Saturday, 19th August with the theme, ‘Wake Up and Take Responsibility’. It will be streamed live. The main speaker this year is the Chairman of both UBA and Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, CFR. He is being joined by two British women, Ms Dorota Oakley Matuszyk and Ms Juliet Lamin. As in previous editions, it is going to be a day of fun, music, networking and impactful sessions. While attendance is completely free of charge (including food and drinks), intending participants must register online by visiting www.rccgteapteens.ng. But only a few slots remain.

The former secretary to the government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has revealed that ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari once contemplated choosing Senator Adeleke Olurunnimbe Mamora as his vice-presidential candidate.

Speaking at a dinner in Abuja, hosted by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) led by Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Mustapha said that Mamora was highly valued by Buhari during his time in the federal executive council.

According to The Guardian, Mustapha, however, did not make clear whether Buhari’s consideration of Mamora was before his second term or during the 2015 election preparations.

There were claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, reportedly proposed Prof Yemi Osinbajo for the vice-president role.

Highlighting Buhari’s trust in Mamora, Mustapha noted Buhari’s appointments for Mamora, including as Minister of Science and Technology and previously as Minister of State for Health.

Mamora’s roles in the APC campaign council for both the 2015 and 2019 elections further underscore this trust.

Describing Mamora, Mustapha praised him as a genuine and down-to-earth individual.

He added, “He is simple and an ordinary man. He treats you with every iota of respect. When he spoke at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), we all listened carefully because his analysis of the issues at the state was in-depth. On each subject matter, he has a contribution to make.

“He is an all-rounder. You (Mamora) have served Niger well, you are a gift to the nation. We will draw from the reservoir of your knowledge and ability. Don’t see you going into retirement. We believe you would still be called upon to serve again.”

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode, awarded Mamora for his steadfast dedication to public health, particularly for his significant role in the enactment of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA).

Mamora’s efforts to regulate sugar-sweetened beverages and transfats were also highlighted by Akinbode as key reasons for the award.

He urged other leaders in Nigeria to follow Mamora’s example in driving positive change.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the NTCA’s establishment, Mamora, a two-term senator, shared the intense opposition from lobbyists backed by tobacco companies in both Senate and House chambers.

Drawing from his vast experience in public service, Mamora emphasized the importance of creating a meaningful legacy as “power remains transient”.

He stated, “Public office is public trust. It’s about your ability to influence decisions positively. We should aim to make a difference so that people remember us fondly.”

Distinguished guests at the event included former Ogun state governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, ex-women affairs minister, Paulen Tallen, and various current and past government officials, health experts, and representatives from civil society organizations.

Self-styled relationship expert, Blessing Okoro Nkiruka popularly known as Blessing CEO has claimed that children are not blessings but liabilities.

The social media influencer, in a now-viral video, warned people against bringing children to the world only to abandon the role of training them.

She inferred that children are not meant to suffer, hence, aspiring parents must be ready to train them before they procreate.

She said, ‘’Children are not blessings, they are liabilities, if you know you cannot afford to train them, dont bring them to this world to suffer, close your legs.’’

The video has since generated a torrent of backlash with many slamming her for describing children as liabilities.

Counsel to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Angela Liu, has pointed out that the “vigorous opposition” by President Bola Tinubu over his academic records is suspicious.

A US court had dismissed a suit seeking Tinubu’s academic records after Atiku withdrew the case.

An aide to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Phrank Shaibu, noted that his principal withdrew the suit in order to avoid abuse of court processes.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Liu said Tinubu should be eager to clear the controversy surrounding his academic records at the American institution.

“Mr Tinubu should have been keen to clear up any inconsistencies in his academic achievements and set the records straight by allowing the expedition of the legal process,” she said.

“If there is an explanation for the discrepancies we have identified, we would think that Mr Tinubu would be eager to provide it.

“If you would like to provide an explanation to us, we are happy to consider it. That might preclude the need for, or at least expedite the deposition.

“In candour, the vehemence of Mr Tinubu’s opposition to this discovery is increasing rather than mitigating our suspicions.”