- Pix above(L-R): Ganduje and PBAT
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Facts have emerged on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had relied on his bosom friend, ex-Kano Gov Ganduje’s selfish advice to withdraw Maryam Shetty as ministerial nominee.
–L-R: Ganduje and Shetty
Opinion of Ganduje who may have been nursing the pain of being dropped himself as ministerial nominee, over $230,000 bribery scandal while his tenure lasted as Kano governor, was sought by Tinubu as a close ally, and he pulled the carpet off the feet of Shetty.
Speaking yesterday in an interview on Freedom Radio, Ganduje who was later rewarded with APC National Chairmanship against Tinubu’s vow not to accommodate corrupt officials in his cabinet, said first and foremost, he was not contacted on the choice of Shetty, stating that she was not known in Kano to represent the state in Federal cabinet, besides being too inexperienced for the job.
He said: “As loyalists of the President who understand democracy, we accepted his choice. But again, we don’t know her (Shetty), and since we don’t know her, we could not vouch for her competence for the job.
“Also, the President’s attention was drawn to the social media reactions that followed her nomination. Sometimes people take action, thinking they won’t be caught. But you will be surprised that all your actions are in the public domain. That’s what happened in this case.
“The reactions became so intense, and people were questioning her competence and worthiness to represent Kano.
“These concerns were not raised by me (Ganduje), but the masses. The President was also shown the social media reactions, and he sought my opinion.
“Clearly, I told him, I don’t know who she is. He asked if there was a need to replace her, and I answered in the affirmative…we were the ones who needed to be consulted for any appointments coming from Kano.
“Even though I don’t know all the competent people from Kano, at least our advice needs to be sought when people make recommendations, but that didn’t happen in this case.
“So, the President gave us the opportunity to make a replacement with the emphasis that it must be a woman. After consultation with critical stakeholders, we settled for the new nominee, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure.”
The State Online reports that though no reason was given for Maryam Shetty’s replacement, it was gathered it might not be unconnected with the way the young lady trended on social media, especially on Twitter, for her nomination on account of inexperience.
A Twitter user with the name, Hon. Red Pen @wizmuckie tweeted, “Nigeria is a country where connections can make Dr. Maryam Shetty a minister. You see those people you refer to as friends now, they are the people you and your children will refer to as connections in the nearest future…My unsolicited advice for you, find the right people now and include them into your circle, whatever it takes…”
Another user, identified as Sarki. @Waspapping noted “Banter aside, having both Kwankwaso and Elrufai as ministers under BAT would’ve benefited Nigerians and especially Northerners a lot. But for some reason, PBAT picked Maryam Shetty with no known achievements over Kwankwaso who both the poor and average Nigerians adore.
But Ganduje’s last-minute reaction to Tinubu’s question on if there was need for Shetty’s replacement became the last straw that broke the camel’s back. /SHARE THIS
- Tags: Abdullahi Ganduje, Maryam Shetty, PBAT
