Tinubu: because I appointed the government critic as minister

President Bola Tinubu said that his decision to appoint dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, despite his past criticism, was a testimony of his belief in recognizing talents, even in those that once they could have been critical.

The president revealed him on Saturday evening in a special IFTAR held in his honor to the presidential villa to commemorate his 73rd birthday.

Tijani was among the numerous dignitaries who delivered messages of goodwill to the president, together with the vice -president Kashim Shettimo, the president of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, vice -president of the Chamber of representatives Benjamin Kalu, the governor hopes that Uzodinma of Imodinma and Professor Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, a friend’s friend.

In his observations, the minister shared his personal experience of being appointed by President Tinubu despite his past activism and criticisms of the President and the National Assembly.

“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr. President. But after my confirmation, he said to me:” I looked at your records and activism, and I saw that there is something in you. I am giving you the opportunity to represent your country and help make it a better place.

“I expected an adequate reproach because of my records, but the magnanimity of the president is the one I lived for the first time in my life.

“I remember that in that meeting, some people made my record again and said to Mr. President:” He said this, he did this. But the president said: “Shos it”. “

Responding to the minister’s observations, President Tinubu confirmed that appointing Tijani as Minister was a difficult decision, given the reserves of his close collaborators.

“When I chose it, it was difficult. My tightened confident, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said to me:” No, never. “I said:” Yes, he has talent.

“Perhaps his frustration at that time will push him to contribute more to governance. And today he is doing it, and I am very proud of him,” said the president.

The President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio praised the President’s ability to forgive his critics, remembering the intense debate that preceded the confirmation of Tijjani as minister.

“When he came to the Senate for screening, the senators said:” No, no, we can’t have it. “A senator cited by the Internet where he described all the Nigerian senators as” idiots “.

“I had to stop the procedures and ask Bosun,” did you write this? “And he admitted,” Lord, I did it because it was so that I felt then. “So I asked him:” And do you have the audacity to stay in front of us and expect you to confirm you? “”

The President of the Senate observed that what influenced legislators in the end was their trust in the judgment of President Tinubu.

“Mr. President, we confirmed it because we knew you had to have seen something special in him. You never have wrong when it comes to your judgment on people.

“I went to an executive session and I told my colleagues, we give this young man an opportunity and see what happens. And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the most performing ministers of the toilet,” said Akpabio.