LAGOS, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu discuss im reason wey make am appoint Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. Dis decision spark plenty wahala because Tijani don publicly criticize im before and even the National Assembly. Tinubu talk this one for special Iftar wey him celebrate for im 73rd birthday at the Presidential Villa.
“When I pick am, e no easy. My close people wey don see wetin him talk for social media come meet me, say, ‘No, never.’ But I talk say, ‘Yes, he get talent,’” Tinubu explain. E continue, “Because him dey criticize me and dey throway insult for the parliament, e no mean say e no get wetin to offer. Maybe him frustration go make am do better for governance. Nd today, I dey proud of wetin him dey do.”
The event see in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and Professor Shaffideen Amuwo. Tijani too deliver goodwill message where e talk say e dey shock for Tinubu decision.
“Before I become minister, I never meet Mr. President. But after dem confirm me, he tell me say, ‘I don check your records and activism, and I see say you get something to offer. I dey give you dis chance to represent your country and contribute to make am better,’” Tijani recount. He add say he expect Tinubu go give am proper scolding because of wetin e don talk before, but na magnanimity from the President he see for the first time.
On Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, release statement wey highlight di importance of Tijani appointment, despite public outcry against am, especially during im Senate confirmation hearing. Akpabio, di Senate President, too remember di wahala wey follow Tijani confirmation. He say, “When he come to di Senate for screening, senators dey talk say, ‘No he no fit.’ One senator even quote wetin Tijani talk online where he call all Nigerian senators ‘morons.’ I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admit, ‘Sir, I do because na wetin I feel then.’”
Akpabio reveal say di Senate eventually confirm Tijani on di basis of trust for Tinubu judgment. “Mr. President, we confirm am because we sabi say you must don see something special for am. You no dey wrong when e don reach your judgment of people. Today, I dey happy to talk say he na one of di best-performing ministers for di cabinet,” Akpabio add.
