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.”

Senator Ireti Kingibe on Wednesday reacted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s assurance during the day’s plenary session that “prayers” had been sent to the lawmakers as they embark on a recess — eliciting speculation over hidden allowances.

“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the Clerk of the National Assembly,” Akpabio told the senators before withdrawing the statement, describing the supposed disbursement as “prayers” sent to their “mailboxes”.

However, Kingibe, the sole lawmaker representing the FCT in the red chamber, was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where she stressed that she did not receive any allowances that were out of the ordinary.

“No, actually, I didn’t receive any prayers, but I’ll check my email for the prayers,” the Labour Party member said humorously, adding that she did not know for sure what Akpabio was talking about.

Acknowledging that “most people” assumed allowances might have been paid to the lawmakers, she explained that such payments might be “statutory things that we would have been paid anyway”.

“I don’t think it was anything extra that we’re supposed to be given. I certainly haven’t seen anything extra,” Kingibe said.

Asked to comment on the high cost of governance, particularly on the part of senators often criticised as some of the highest paid in the world, the opposition lawmaker conceded that she could not change anything.

However, she revealed her strategy for the extra funds she gets paid.

“I have a constituency office; I also have a development office where I do development programmes for the people, and hopefully, anything extra, I will put in any allowances,” Kingibe said.

“Obviously, I’m new (and) we’ve been paid very little. But as they come in, a lot of it will go towards funding that office, the development programmes.”

A retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter-Odili has distanced herself from an allegation that she is influencing judges of the court of appeal and the Supreme Court to ensure that President Bola Tinubu gets a favourable judgment at the Presidential election petition tribunal.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are challenging Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election held on the 25th of February, 2023.

A Twitter user, Jackson Ude had alleged that Peter-Odili is helping Tinubu secure a favourable judgement at the tribunal.

Reacting to the allegation in a press statement signed by her spokesperson, Felix Enebeli, Odili described the claim as “false and malicious”.

The statement reads, “While the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to the lawyers of her lordship to deal with in accordance with the law, we consider it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation.

“We deny every allegation contained in the publication and state that the publication is false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship.

“We say nothing of the fact that the publication has the potential of inciting the public against her lordship on an issue of grave national importance.

“For the records, her lordship is neither a judicial consultant to anyone nor is she in any way connected with or involved in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petition whatsoever. The public is hereby urged to disbelieve, disregard and ignore this false publication”.

Enebeli added that Odili’s lawyers are on the issue and have demanded a retraction and public apology from Ude.

According to Enebeli, a redress would be sought in court if Ude failed to retract the story.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed and approved a bill to grant special public holidays for traditional worshippers in Oyo State to celebrate Isese Day annually.

The bill was passed on Wednesday (today) to adherents of traditional religion in the state, Naija News understands.

The motion was read before the lawmakers today by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo.

The lawmakers stressed the importance of dedicating a day for adherents of traditional religion to celebrate as it is for Christians and Muslims across the country.

The lawmaker also noted that some states in the Southwest region had already done so, stressing the need to respect the beliefs of traditional religious worshippers.

Naija News understands that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had promised to sign the bill into law once passed by the state House of Assembly.

In July, the Ogun State House of Assembly approved a special holiday for Isese in the state years after their predecessors in the chamber had declined requests to do so.

The holiday was fixed for August 20 annually for adherents of traditional religions to celebrate.

The Kogi State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 11 election, Dino Melaye, has predicted the outcome of the forthcoming polls.

Naija News reports that the PDP chieftain on Wednesday, after a meeting of Kogi PDP stakeholders from the three Senatorial Districts of the state with the members of the National Working Committee (NWC), said the party would win because things have never been this bad for citizens in the state.

Melaye lamented the poor state of healthcare, education, and general standard of living under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.

While giving a charge to the party’s stakeholders, Melaye told them not to be intimidated by members of the ruling APC in the state.

He noted that “My charge to the people of Kogi State is that they should not be Intimidated by the APC. The threat, violence, and humiliation by the APC should not deter them from exercising their democratic rights. I want to assure you that we will protect our people.

“The PDP is going to win the election in Kogi State because we have never had it so bad in the state’s history. Our people are impoverished, salaries have not been paid, pensions have not been paid, gratuities have not been paid. The health sector is non-existent. In fact, all the general hospitals in the state are mere consulting clinics.

“Education has gone moribund, and this is what the PDP is coming to ameliorate and palliate. I want to assure you that by the grace of God. With the resolutions of this meeting, with the strategy adopted in this meeting, the PDP is good to go in Kogi State. “

Speaking on behalf of the NWC, acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, said signs were evident already that the PDP was the party to beat in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.

He submitted that “We have already seen prospects in the coming election in Kogi, so this meeting is to know your challenges and to know how to work on the reconciliation before the election

“This reconciliation will take three stages from the ward, local government, and state. I am glad most of the senior stakeholders are here, and they are supposed to anchor that reconciliation. Because we that are from the state can only encourage you to work on the reconciliation.

“I am delighted to tell you that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is the Chairman of the Kogi Campaign Committee, has promised to go to each zone to sit down with you on a zonal basis. He will campaign in all these places, and he is very much alive to this responsibility in Kogi.”

President Bola Tinubu and the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi are currently in a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Naija News understands that the meeting is coming hours after Sanusi returned from the Niger Republic where he went to meet the Niger coup leader.

The former Emir of Kano met with the military leaders, led by the coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, in Niamey, the nation’s capital, to discuss the current political impasse occasioned by the recent coup in the country.

Recall that the military coup leader seized power from the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 8:25 pm immediately after a high delegation of the Nigeria Islamic Ulama met with the President.

The former Emir when asked about his visit to Niger simply said, ‘it’s fine.’

At the time of filing this report, Sanusi was still meeting with the President.