By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The recent ministerial screening of nominee Bosun Tijani has ignited a discourse on the importance of emulating President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style, even as past tweets of the nominee come under scrutiny. Amidst a backdrop of social media controversies, the nominee’s screening brought to light his contrasting views on Nigeria and President Tinubu.
One of the central points of discussion emerged from an old tweet by Bosun Tijani where he expressed dissatisfaction with the Nigerian passport and questioned the nation’s identity. This tweet raised eyebrows and generated debates on the suitability of his ministerial nomination. Additionally, several other old tweets that focused on President Bola Tinubu gained viral attention, rekindling discussions about the nominee’s perspective on political leadership.
Despite these past social media engagements, President Bola Tinubu demonstrated magnanimity by considering the broader context in which Bosun Tijani’s views were expressed. This gracious response underscored the President’s belief in nurturing young talent and embracing diverse opinions without discarding the potential for growth and improvement.
Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, who represents Lagos East Senatorial District, was noted for sharing President Tinubu’s inclination toward identifying and nurturing exceptional talent. He partnered with CEO of CccHub, Dr. Tijani Bosun, appointing him as Chairman of SAIL Innovative Lab, highlighting the importance of recognizing and leveraging unconventional skills and expertise.
However, the dynamics at the grassroots level presented a contrasting narrative. Reports emerged of threats, intimidation, and harassment targeting residents, publishers, and journalists by certain Local Council Chairmen. These incidents, often involving the deployment of thugs and security agents, underscored the concerning state of press freedom and the broader advocacy for good governance and accountability.