Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani says it will be extremely difficult for any future Nigerian leader to succeed if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to deliver on his promises and reset the country’s direction.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in an interview with TVC on Tuesday, Sani said President Tinubu holds a “historic opportunity” to reshape Nigeria’s destiny at a time the nation faces deep political and economic challenges.
“It is incumbent on 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,” Sani said.
“If President Tinubu fails, I don’t think it will be easy for any other president to succeed.”
‘Nigeria’s Politics Too Toxic for Development’
The former lawmaker lamented that Nigeria’s politics has remained toxic and combative, with both the ruling class and the opposition treating each other as enemies rather than partners in progress.
“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.”
He criticised the country’s culture of perpetual electioneering, noting that it leaves little time for governance.
“In Nigeria, we only stop talking about elections in the first year after voting. 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,” he said.
Calls for Reform and Inclusive Governance
Commenting on ongoing debates about introducing a single six-year presidential term, Sani said while the idea could provide more time for governance, it could also be misinterpreted as a scheme to extend incumbents’ tenure.
He urged President Tinubu to govern with inclusiveness, bringing competent Nigerians from diverse backgrounds into his administration, regardless of political affiliations.
“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.”
‘Reform Is Never Easy’
Sani advised the president to take bold, reform-driven steps similar to those undertaken by leaders in Singapore and China, who made tough decisions that ultimately transformed their nations.
“Every country that achieved greatness went through difficult reforms and sacrifices,” he said.
“There is no perfect country in the world. None started perfectly. China, Singapore, Indonesia — they all paid the price for progress.”
He urged Nigerians to support long-term reforms rather than resist short-term discomfort, warning that without decisive action, the nation would remain stagnant.
“If we don’t do what needs to be done now, we’ll still be complaining 25 years from today,” he said.
