By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has explained why the Senate confirmed Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy despite his controversial past, which included calling Nigerian lawmakers “morons.”
Akpabio revealed that Tijani’s screening in the Senate was rocky due to this remark, but ultimately, the lawmakers were swayed by their trust in President Bola Tinubu’s judgment.
Akpabio spoke on Saturday night at a special Iftar held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, to honour President Bola Tinubu who marked his 73rd birthday.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed some details of the event in a statement on Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu: Why I Appointed Bosun Tijani as Minister Despite Past Criticism.’
According to the statement, Akpabio in his remarks noted that Tijani’s screening in the upper chamber was rocky after a senator recounted an instance where Tijani reportedly labelled all lawmakers as “morons.”
Akpabio narrated, “When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’
“One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons.’
“I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admitted, ‘Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.’ So I asked him, ‘And you have the audacity to stand before us and expect us to confirm you?’”
The Senate President noted that what ultimately swayed the lawmakers was their trust in President Tinubu’s judgment.
“Mr. President, we confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him. You are never wrong when it comes to your judgment of people.
“I went into an executive session and told my colleagues, ‘Let us give this young man an opportunity and see what happens.’
“And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet,” he stated.
Earlier, President Tinubu recounted how his decision to appoint Tijani as a minister was met with strong reservations from close associates who objected to Tijani’s past critical statements on social media.
Despite these objections, the President said he remained steadfast in his choice, acknowledging the minister’s talent and potential for contributing meaningfully to his administration.
“Because he criticises me does not mean he has nothing to offer,” Tinubu revealed on Saturday night at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, as he turned 73.
The President emphasised that the minister’s past criticisms were insufficient reason to discount his ability, suggesting instead that his once-vocal dissatisfaction could fuel a deeper commitment to public service.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never.’
“I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticises me and pours abuse on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer.
“Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance. And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him,’” President Tinubu stated.
Tijani, in his remarks, described how he was surprised by the President’s decision to give him “the opportunity to represent your country and contribute to making it a better place,” despite knowing the minister’s past activism and criticisms.
“I was expecting a proper scolding because of my records, but the magnanimity of the President is one that I experienced for the very first time in my life,” Tijani said, adding that during a prior meeting, some individuals questioned his record, but the President interjected with a firm, “Shut it.”