“I Had to Join a Political Party Before Ministerial Confirmation” – Ex-Minister Shamsudeen Usman

Former Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman, has revealed that he had to join a political party before being confirmed as a minister during his tenure under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Usman explained that this experience highlighted the complexities of ministerial life, noting that the political system makes it difficult to achieve desired outcomes.

“If you come in as a technocrat or economist, there are many things you try to accomplish, but the political system makes it very challenging to get things done properly,” Usman shared. He further emphasized that public servants, who should protect the public interest, often prioritize their personal interests instead.

Recalling his confirmation process, Usman said: “The day I was appointed Minister, I was informed that I needed to be a registered member of a political party. At the time, I wasn’t a member of any party, so I had to rush to Kano to register. It showed me that the life of a minister is far from simple.”

Usman also mentioned facing political opposition from senators in his state, orchestrated by others to block his confirmation, leading to potential embarrassment.