SHEHU SANI URGES TINUBU TO AVOID ETHNIC BIAS IN APPOINTMENTS, CONFIRMS RETURN TO APC. (PHOTO).

 Shehu Sani Urges Tinubu to Avoid Ethnic Bias in Appointments, Confirms Return to APC

Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against appointing individuals primarily from his Yoruba ethnic group to key government positions, a practice he described as common among African leaders. Speaking on Thursday, Sani urged the President to prioritize national service over ethnic favoritism.

“Each time a person takes over a position of office, he fills major positions with people from his ethnic group, and it is happening everywhere,” Sani said. “People in power should see it as an opportunity to serve, not as conquerors who must put their people everywhere.”

Tinubu has faced widespread criticism from opposition leaders and some members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly favoring Yoruba appointees in key roles. APC Senator Ali Ndume recently accused the administration of violating the federal character principle, warning of potential consequences. However, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, dismissed Ndume’s claims as hypocritical and misleading.

Sani also criticized opposition politicians for their selective outrage, noting that many remain silent when their ethnic groups benefit from lopsided appointments but protest when excluded. “I would appreciate the morality of the opposition if they spoke out against their own people perpetrating these evils,” he said.

In the same interview, Sani confirmed his return to the APC after defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He attributed his earlier exit to the “toxic” leadership of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, whom he accused of driving him and others out of the party. Sani stated that the circumstances that prompted his departure have since changed, paving the way for his return.