Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to experience unpopularity among Nigerians unless his ongoing reforms begin to yield tangible benefits for the citizens.
Sani made this remark during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he commended Tinubu for allowing freedom of expression, even from critics within his geopolitical base, the South West.
According to him, this openness marks a significant departure from the past, especially under former President Muhammadu Buhari, when criticisms from the North were often suppressed by political loyalty.
“When I stood up in the parliament to speak about the insecurity in the North, I faced serious resistance from senators from the northern part of Nigeria,” Sani recalled. “You were expected to be quiet and embrace whatever it is because the president came from your region.”
He added that any attempt to highlight pressing issues such as the killings in the North, widespread poverty, or the growing number of out-of-school children during Buhari’s tenure was often met with accusations of damaging the image of a regional ally.
In contrast, Sani said Tinubu appears more focused on long-term national interest, even at the expense of short-term popularity.
“Tinubu is embarking on a project he knows very well he will be unpopular for. You either do two things: please people by doing what they want, or look at the future of the country and risk losing popularity or votes to achieve it,” he stated.
While acknowledging the tough socio-economic conditions Nigerians are currently facing due to Tinubu’s economic policies, Sani urged patience, suggesting that the reforms might eventually bear fruit.
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