Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represents central Kaduna, said that Nigerian Bola Ahmed Tinubu will remain unpopular among Nigerians until the results of his reforms begin to bring about tangible, positive results.
Sani made remarks during his political appearance on Channel TV today, speaking on national discourse and political responsibility.
He praised Tinubu for promoting an environment where even members of his region could criticize his government at will and describe it as a “transformation of political culture from the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari”. According to Sani, if legislators and citizens face pressure on state issues during Buhari’s tenure, i.e. if they are praised in the same region as the president.
“I face serious resistance from the senators of the northern Nigeria when I stand up in parliament and talk about the insecurities in the north,” Sani said. “You are expected to stay quiet and embrace everything because the president comes from your area.”
He added that under Buhari, any criticism of insecurity, poverty or off-campus children in the north is often seen as infidelity rather than a concern for national development.
By contrast, Sani said Tinubu chose a path of political risks by prioritizing long-term reforms over direct popularity. “Tinubu is working on a project he knows very well and he will be unpopular. You either do two things: ask people to do what people want, or look at the future of the country we are going to and lose some visibility for you or vote to achieve that.”
He concluded that Tinubu’s “unwelcome” may persist until the public begins to see the benefits of government policies and reforms.
