Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained why the Senate approved Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy despite his past controversial remarks about lawmakers.
Speaking on Saturday night at a special Iftar event at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, Akpabio noted that Tijani’s confirmation process was difficult due to previous comments in which he allegedly referred to Nigerian lawmakers as “morons.”
However, the Senate ultimately chose to approve him, trusting in President Bola Tinubu’s decision.
The event was held in honor of President Tinubu’s 73rd birthday, and the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, later released details of the discussion in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu: Why I Appointed Bosun Tijani as Minister Despite Past Criticism.’
During his speech, Akpabio recalled that when Tijani appeared before the Senate for screening, several lawmakers initially opposed his confirmation. One senator even cited an online post where Tijani allegedly insulted legislators.
Akpabio stated, “When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’ One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons.’ I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admitted, ‘Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.’ So I asked him, ‘And you have the audacity to stand before us and expect us to confirm you?’”
Despite the initial resistance, Akpabio noted that the Senate eventually decided to approve Tijani, believing that Tinubu saw something valuable in him.
“Mr. President, we confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him. You are never wrong when it comes to your judgment of people. I went into an executive session and told my colleagues, ‘Let us give this young man an opportunity and see what happens.’ And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet,” he said.
President Tinubu also addressed the controversy, stating that he was aware of the objections raised by his close associates regarding Tijani’s past comments on social media. However, he remained firm in his decision, believing that the minister’s skills and expertise outweighed his previous criticisms.
“Because he criticises me does not mean he has nothing to offer,” Tinubu noted. He explained that rather than rejecting Tijani over his past remarks, he saw potential in him and believed that his previous dissatisfaction could drive him to contribute positively to the government.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never.’ I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticises me and pours abuse on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer. Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance. And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him,’” Tinubu said.
In his response, Tijani admitted that he was surprised by the President’s decision to appoint him despite his past criticisms.
“I was expecting a proper scolding because of my records, but the magnanimity of the President is one that I experienced for the very first time in my life,” he said. He also shared how, during a prior meeting, some individuals questioned his past statements, but Tinubu defended him with a firm, “Shut it.”
