Facebook posts from three years ago where Maryam Shettima, otherwise known as Maryam Shetty, criticised former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, may have led to the withdrawal of her recent ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
Shetty’s excitement over her ministerial appointment was short-lived. President Tinubu had withdrawn the nomination barely 24 hours after it was sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Tinubu had forwarded the name of Shetty to the Senate as a ministerial nominee from Kano State.
But in a suprising twist, Tinubu withdrew the nomination and replaced her with a new nominee, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, DAILY GIST reports.
Mariya Mahmud is a former Commissioner for Higher Education under Ganduje’s administration.
The former nominee was said to have arrived at the Senate awaiting to be screened when the news of her removal reached her.
The 3-year-old social media rant against Ganduje seems to provide insight into why the former Kano governor, who is now the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly kicked against the 33-year-old’s nomination as minister.
The posts, dated March 9, 2020, saw Shetty lambasting Ganduje for his alleged involvement in bribery scandals.
“Whatever was set to achieve, it (the throne) still remains within the family; as for Gandollar he will be remembered forever by the stacks of dollars he brazenly and shamelessly pocketed…not will ever erase that. Sipping coffee
“End of an era, the Gandollar Government will forever be remembered for this. I believe we haven’t seen the last of SLS (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) …”
The posts were made in the wake of journalist Jafar Jafar’s release of videos in 2018, purportedly showing Ganduje accepting stacks of dollar bills in what was portrayed as bribe payments from contractors.
The scandal had led to Ganduje being derisively referred to as ‘Gandollar’ on social media, a moniker that stuck despite his vehement denials and claims of video manipulation.
Speaking on the development, Shetty said she is grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for considering her a ministerial nominee in the first place.
She also maintained that her withdrawal does not end her aspirations but has given her hope.
In a statement she issued on Saturday, she said, “I have found myself at the centre of a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political landscape. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a move that brought me immense honour, chose me as a ministerial
Coming from the traditional, conservative regions of northern Nigeria, this represented a significant stride towards a more inclusive national representation.”
“The sheer joy and pride I felt at my nomination were beyond words. It was a validation of my capabilities, a nod to my vision, and a sign that our great nation was ready to embrace a future where young women like me, even from the most traditional parts of Nigeria, can hold positions of influence and power.
“Yet, life, with its characteristic unpredictability, led to the withdrawal of my nomination. To some, this could seem like a setback, but my faith as a devout Muslim guided my understanding.
I saw it as the divine will of Allah, who I believe grants power as He wishes when He wishes. His plans are always superior to ours.
“Even with this unexpected twist, my gratitude to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for considering me for such an esteemed position remains undiminished.”
