Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has urged President Bola Tinubu to shun nepotism and ethnic favoritism in federal appointments, warning that such practices have long undermined good governance across Africa.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Thursday, Sani cautioned the President against following a pattern where leaders appoint mostly individuals from their ethnic group once in office.
“President Asiwaju should be very careful. He shouldn’t toe that line,” Sani said. “It has become part of African political culture that each time someone assumes office, they fill major positions with people from their ethnic group.”
Sani emphasized that power should be a platform for inclusive service, not an opportunity for ethnic domination or political reward.
“Power should not be seen as conquest, where leaders fill key positions with their own people,” he added.
President Tinubu’s administration has come under fire over perceived lopsidedness in appointments, with critics alleging a concentration of power within the Yoruba ethnic group. The concerns have been raised by opposition voices and even members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those expressing concern is Senator Ali Ndume, who recently claimed the federal character principle was being flouted. In response, Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga dismissed the allegation as misinformation.
While Sani called out the alleged imbalance, he also criticized the selective outrage of some politicians, saying many only speak out when their ethnic group is not the beneficiary.
“I would appreciate the morality of the opposition if they had spoken out when their own people did the same,” Sani said. “If you kept quiet then and only speak out now, your intentions are questionable.”
