In a statement on his verified Twitter account, former Nigerian senator and human rights activist Shehu Sani condemned the prevailing tendency to prioritize ethnic and tribal affiliations over competence in political appointments.
Sani’s message, which has garnered significant attention, underscores a critical issue in the Nigerian political landscape: the contradiction between the demand for competence in professional fields and the acceptance of mediocrity in governance based on tribalism.
“People want competent Pilot, Competent Doctor, Competent Engineer, Competent Teacher, and Competent Driver… but on political appointment, they want from their tribes even if he or she is incompetent,” Sani tweeted. His statement highlights the hypocrisy of a society that insists on expertise in critical professions but tolerates, and even advocates for, less qualified individuals in positions of political power, as long as they belong to the “right” ethnic group.
Sani’s critique comes at a time when Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including economic instability, security concerns, and social unrest, all of which require strong, competent leadership. The former senator’s remarks resonate with ongoing debates about the need for merit-based appointments in government and the dangers of allowing ethnic loyalty to undermine national progress….Vïêw–Môrê