Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central,
says it will be difficult for any future leader to succeed in Nigeria if
President Bola Tinubu fails to deliver on his mandate.
In an interview
with TVC on Tuesday, Sani said Tinubu has a “historic opportunity”
to reshape the destiny of the country, noting that Nigeria is at a crossroads
that demands decisive leadership.
The former senator said Nigeria’s political system has
remained toxic and divisive because politicians often treat opponents as
enemies rather than partners in nation-building.
“Our politics is so toxic and hostile that those in
government see the opposition as enemies, while those outside power see the
government as an enemy,” he said.
“When you have such combative politics, the country will
continue to go down the drain.”
Sani lamented that the culture of perpetual politicking has
left little room for governance.
“In Nigeria, we only stop talking about elections in the
first year after voting,” he said.
“From the second year, the next campaign begins. That’s why
80 percent of every administration’s four-year term is spent preparing for
another election.”
The former lawmaker also spoke on calls for a six-year
single term for presidents, saying such a system could create more time for
governance.
He, however, warned that the idea might be misinterpreted as
a ploy to extend the tenure of the president.
‘TINUBU HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESET NIGERIA’
Sani urged Tinubu to look beyond political loyalties when
appointing people, and to bring competent Nigerians from diverse backgrounds
into government.
“The standard he set in Lagos, where he brought the best
people to lead, must now be applied nationwide,” he said.
“If you have someone with a brilliant mind who can redeem
the economy, you must consider what he offers, not his political leaning.
”It is incumbent on the president, President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu, to know that he has the unique opportunity as a leader to reset,
reshape and reconfigure the destiny and future of this country.
”And to do that, he should not mind the fallout because at
the end of the day, he should think of what becomes of Nigeria in the next 20
to 30 years.
”Those in power today are in their 60s and 70s. By 2040,
many of them will be gone. What future are we leaving for the younger
generation?
“If President Bola Tinubu fails, I don’t think it will be
easy for any other president to succeed.”
He said the president must act with a long-term vision, like
reformists in countries such as Singapore and China, who made bold but
unpopular decisions that later brought national progress.
Sani added that every country that achieved greatness went
through difficult reforms and sacrifices.
“There is no perfect country in the world. None started
perfectly. If you look at the United States over the past 100 years, it’s not
much different from where we are today in terms of challenges,” he said.
“No country dropped from heaven. China, Singapore, Indonesia
— they all paid the price for progress.”
The former lawmaker said Nigeria must decide whether it
wants to remain trapped in cycles of division and mediocrity or embrace reforms
that could reposition it for growth.
“There is no perfect country in the world, but if we don’t
do what needs to be done now, we’ll still be complaining 25 years from today,”
he added.
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