The drama unfolding in the APC is getting more intense by the day. Recently, Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has been criticizing the government of President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of advancing a "Yorubacentric" agenda in his appointments. However, Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has come out to debunk these claims, providing facts and figures to show that the appointments are actually representative of the country's diversity.
According to Omokri, the current structure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Board is a perfect example of this diversity. The Board consists of members from different regions of the country, including the Southwest, Northeast, South-South, and North-Central. For instance, the Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL is Mele Kyari from the Northeast, while the Chief Financial Officer is Adedapo Segun from the Southwest. This balance is also reflected in the executive oversight at the cabinet level, where the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) is Heineken Lokpobiri from the South-South, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) is Ekperikpe Ekpo, also from the South-South.
Omokri also reviewed the leadership of top revenue-generating agencies in Nigeria, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Communications Commission. He noted that out of these six agencies, only two are led by individuals from the Southwest, which further debunks the claim of Yorubacentricity. For example, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority is Abubakar Dantsoho from the Northeast, while the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is Dayo Mobereola from the Southwest.
El-Rufai's criticism of Tinubu's government has been met with backlash from some quarters, with some accusing him of hypocrisy. Aisha Yesufu, a prominent activist, has tackled El-Rufai, questioning whether he would have spoken out if Tinubu had appointed him as a "super minister" as rumored. Yesufu also pointed out that El-Rufai was instrumental in Tinubu's election victory, but is now criticizing him because he did not get the powerful position he wanted.
The debate has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with some people defending El-Rufai's right to criticize the government, while others are accusing him of being a hypocrite. Some have also pointed out that El-Rufai's criticism is not based on facts, but rather on his own personal interests and biases.
As the drama continues to unfold, it is clear that the APC is facing a significant challenge in terms of unity and cohesion. The criticism of Tinubu's government by El-Rufai and others is a symptom of a deeper problem, which is the lack of trust and confidence in the party's leadership. It remains to be seen how the party will address these challenges and move forward in a united and cohesive manner.
In the meantime, it is essential to separate facts from fiction and to avoid spreading misinformation and propaganda. The use of social media to spread false information and to attack individuals and groups is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. As citizens, we must be vigilant and critical in our consumption of information, and we must demand that our leaders are transparent and accountable in their actions and decisions.
The controversy surrounding El-Rufai's criticism of Tinubu's government is a reminder that politics is a complex and multifaceted game, where individuals and groups have different interests and motivations. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is essential to remain informed, engaged, and critical, and to demand that our leaders are accountable and transparent in their actions and decisions.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding El-Rufai's criticism of Tinubu's government is a significant development in Nigerian politics, and it has sparked a heated discussion on social media and beyond. While some have defended El-Rufai's right to criticize the government, others have accused him of being a hypocrite. As the drama continues to unfold, it is clear that the APC is facing a significant challenge in terms of unity and cohesion, and it remains to be seen how the party will address these challenges and move forward in a united and cohesive manner.
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