In Nigeria, the phrase may be cliched, but it still holds weight in the political arena as elected officials and appointees promise to ‘hit the ground running’ upon assuming office. This self-imposed covenant places them under immense pressure right from the start.
After being sworn into office in May, some governors wasted no time and quickly began taking action, including demolishing structures, forming cabinets, and appointing agency heads within the first two months. However, in their enthusiasm, some officials overstepped their boundaries by encroaching on exclusive reserves.
Governor Uba Sani campaigned on the platform of Continuity and Consolidation, and so far, he has lived up to that promise. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Malam Nasir El Rufai, appointments have been made based on competence, gender, and demographic inclusion. In the previous administration, prominent positions were held by youth and women, including the Deputy Governor, Head of Service, and Commissioners for Health, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Human Services and Social Development, among others. Governor Uba Sani has continued this trend in his governance.
Recently, the governor submitted a list of commissioners to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and four women were included among the 14 nominees. Additionally, there are technocrats and intellectuals with impressive credentials, similar to the El Rufai era, on the list.
Among them is Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, an ex-banker and former lecturer with a diverse background in the financial sector and academia. Also, Malam Murtala Mohammad Dabo, an ex-General Manager at Zenith Bank, has held various important roles in the El Rufai administration. Barrister Sule Shu’aibu, a versatile lawyer, and Professor Benjamin Gugong, a renowned scholar, are also among the nominees.
What sets this list apart is the inclusion of politicians with strong grassroots connections, marking a shift from previous selections. Notably, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, Chairman of Lere Local Government and Kaduna State ALGON Chairman, and Dr. Abdullahi Aminu Shagali, former Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly and the immediate past Political Adviser in the El Rufai government, are among the nominees.
Furthermore, Alhaji Sadiq Mamman Lagos, a two-time Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, is also proposed as a member of the Kaduna State Executive Council.
