Nigerians have almost run out of patience as they eagerly anticipate the big announcement. Who will make the list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new Ministers? The riddle, however, will soon be solved in less than three weeks from now.

The Tinubu administration has started on a good note, offering a breath of fresh air. Mr. President has so far made good selections in the choice of his personal aides, and other top government functionaries. But his cabinet remains incomplete without members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Nigerians do want business as usual, again. They want visionary minds, with unquestionable and trustworthy, and loyal members of the incoming FEC. They want Ministers who will help Tinubu aggressively drive his RENEWED HOPE agenda. Such choices must be capable hands that would break the vicious cycles that threaten the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

Surely, there are prominent politicians and technocrats who are eminently qualified for the positions. But becoming a Federal Council member should not be an all-comers’ affair, at least. It should be an exclusive preserve of persons who have paid their dues, with regards to the development of their communities, States and the country. President Tinubu cannot afford to flunk this golden opportunity of recruiting the best of Nigerians as his new Ministers.

Though originally an indigene of Kano State, but as someone who spent years in Sokoto State with my parents and also schooled there up to tertiary level at the famous Usmanu Danfodiyo University, I am concerned about who represents ‘Seat of the Caliphate’ in the FEC. While Sokoto is endowed with personalities that have been tested and trusted, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar stands out as the most distinguished and quintessential.

I should mention that the APC leader in the State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has promoted some political bigwigs including Senator Ibrahim Gobir brought into the Senate contest in 2011 by the then Governor Wamakko and later fielded for the second and third time. In the 9th Senate, Wamako was approached to become the Senate Leader but he declined and nominated Gobir.

One other instance is Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the only known personal friend of Wamakko from childhood till date. He has benefited from the APC stalwart despite contesting against him in 2007 when Bafarawa fielded Dingyadi instead of Wamakko who was supposed to be the natural successor being his deputy for two terms.

If Wamakko is to display what he has been preaching, which is elevating the next generation, it is time to consider the young ones such as Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, who has stayed consistently with him from 2007 till date despite all odds. Between 2007 and 2023, the House of Representatives member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency has put smiles on the faces of his constituents with quality lawmaking and representation.

The four-time National Assembly (NASS) member, aside from being a compassionate and focused public servant, has a track record of delivery of several public and national assignments. In the 9th House of Representatives, he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), a responsibility he meritoriously discharged with passion. Adar was the first northerner to Chair the Committee.

Adar, a cosmopolitan personality with a chain of contacts across Nigeria, is known for his ability to connect with the young and old, as well as his humility. The grassroot politician has never changed his mobile contacts, apparently to allow the good people of his constituency and everyone who has an acquaintance with to easily reach him in times of distress. He is also a father figure to many in Sokoto, especially the youths.

Through his many empowerment schemes, the lives of thousands of women and youths have been touched positively. Many graduates from Sokoto can be found In almost all the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies courtesy of Adar’s efforts as a bridge builder. In terms of the infrastructural development of Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, Adar’s impact is glaring. The ongoing Gada-Kaffe road construction is an example.

Adar sponsored groundbreaking Motions, Bills, and Reports including The Collapse of the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto; Need to investigate the Withdrawal of N1.17 Billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the Account of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority; Need to Provide Security and Relief Materials to Victims of Attack at Kololi, Gadonmata, and Kamitau Village in Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency; Need to Address the Worsening Security Situation in Sokoto; Need to Provide Relief Materials to Victims of Flood in Gada and Goronyo LGAs of Sokoto, etc.

It is equally important to highlight his expertise in Nigeria’s maritime, transport, agriculture, and oil and gas sectors. The APC chieftain has served in the State and Federal public service. He chaired some strategic committees in the National Assembly including the Committee on Land Transport, Electoral Matters, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and was a member of the House ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

His contribution to the passage of the PIB and subsequent assent by former President Muhammadu Buhari is unquantifiable. What Nigeria now has the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is one of the achievements of Adar. Therefore, his membership of the FEC will help revive the dormant exploration project in the Sokoto Basin to help generate additional revenue for the Federal Government and make Sokoto join the list of oil-producing States.

Furthermore, it is certain that Adar will not fail to persuade Mr. President and the FEC to award a railway project that will, for the first time, link Sokoto to the national rail transport system. The tracks are to be laid from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

As the permutations and horse-trading for who becomes the next Minister from Sokoto State intensifies, the President must not allow primordial sentiments to cloud his decision. He should prioritize competence, pedigree and excellent track record of performance in previous leadership positions. In the case of Sokoto, he could settle for Adar, a Founding Member of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) and a member of APC Presidential Campaign Council, 2023.

Faisal Abdullahi writes from Kofar Famfo in Dukawuya, Kano