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Shamsudeen Usman, a former Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning under President Goodluck Jonathan, revealed that he had to join a political party before being confirmed as a minister.
Usman, speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, shared that his experience highlights the complexities involved in being a minister, especially for those appointed as technocrats. He pointed out how the political system complicates efforts to achieve policy goals, stating, “If you come in as a technocrat or an economist, there are a lot of things you try to do, but the political system is set in such a way that it’s very difficult to get things done properly.”
He also lamented that many public servants prioritize their personal interests over the public’s well-being. “Instead of being agents for the public, they become principals because it’s their own interest that is prime,” Usman added.
Recalling his appointment process, Usman disclosed that he wasn’t initially a member of any political party. “The day I was appointed Minister, somebody alerted me that for you to get confirmed as a minister, you have to register as a member of a political party,” he said. He then rushed to Kano to register, as he needed to meet the requirement.
He further revealed that some senators from his state initially withheld support during his confirmation, orchestrated by political motivations. “Somebody set them up to do that, and I was going to face a serious embarrassment,” Usman added, describing the challenges he encountered as a minister.
