Shetty’s prominence soared on the national stage when she was included in President Bola Tinubu’s second batch of ministerial nominees, comprising 19 individuals. This occurred after the screening of the initial batch. However, Nigerians were taken aback on Friday when the President sent another communication to the Senate, introducing two new ministerial nominees and announcing the withdrawal of Maryam Shetty from the list.
In a dramatic twist of events, Maryam Shetty, on Saturday expressed her faith in the divine will of Allah, stating that her nomination’s withdrawal was unexpected but not a setback. She remains grateful to President Tinubu for considering her and believes that her journey of service to Nigeria is far from over.
“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. The journey doesn’t end here; I believe this is a mere stepping stone, the best is yet to come. My resolve to serve my beloved country, Nigeria, in any capacity I can, is stronger than ever.
“I would like to assure my incredible supporters that this is not an end, it is the dawn of a new era I urge all of us to continue praying for our nation and to stand behind our President as he strives to better Nigeria.
“My nomination may have been withdrawn, but my hope is unwavering. As I have often stated, “Hope is not lost; maybe I will come back again.”
The controversy surrounding her removal stems from the alleged power play within the party. Reports suggest that the immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, nominated Bunkure, his former commissioner, to replace Shetty. The reason for the replacement appears to be Shetty’s lack of affiliation with the political family of the former governor, and it is suspected that her name was added to the list by a senior member of the presidency without Ganduje’s knowledge.
The manner of her replacement was seen as a message from the president, signaling his displeasure to those responsible for adding her name to the list. Analysts believe that Kano is a strategic state for the ruling party’s prospects, and Tinubu may be consolidating his influence through the Ganduje camp.
Sources close to Shetty also mention that her vocal stance against some of Ganduje’s policies during his tenure as governor, including the controversial deposition of former Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, could have played a role in her replacement.
The controversy surrounding Shetty’s nomination withdrawal raises concerns about favoritism and nepotism within the political system. It highlights the complexities and underlying dynamics involved in the process of nominating ministers, indicating that merit may not always be the sole factor considered.
