Aisha Yesufu questions Sunday Dare’s move from minister to special adviser

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed Sunday Dare as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation.

This new position marks a significant shift for Dare, who previously served as Minister of Youth and Sports Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following his appointment, Dare expressed his gratitude in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter). He disclosed his visit to the Presidential Villa for an initial briefing and expressed readiness to commence work immediately. “Today, I was at the Presidential Villa to thank President Tinubu, GCFR, for my appointment as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation and for the initial briefing. Work commences. Full swing,” he wrote, tagging the post with the date and location: “Thursday night, 24 October, 2024. Abuja.”

https://x.com/SundayDareSD/status/1849585752234979504?t=JcCh82uWE63RgXJoPLY04w&s=19

However, Aisha Yesufu, a prominent supporter of the Labour Party and a vocal social activist, raised questions over Dare’s decision to transition from a ministerial role to that of a special adviser. Sharing Dare’s post on X, Yesufu expressed her confusion in a pointed message, writing, “From Minister to Special Adviser? Is there something I don’t understand? Are people unable to say No? Is there a law that says the moment your name is chosen you cannot refuse? Or is it the desire to serve that is so overwhelming?”

https://x.com/AishaYesufu/status/1849761897718952212?t=o37b1O7xWIGxbcbK8JJiRA&s=19

Yesufu’s remarks stirred conversations on social media, with many users weighing in on the significance of Dare’s new role compared to his former ministerial position. Some users supported Yesufu’s view, questioning whether such appointments reflected a pattern of political survival or strategic placements, while others defended Dare’s decision as a continued commitment to public service.

Dare’s appointment and the subsequent reaction come amid heightened political dynamics and shifts in Nigeria’s leadership landscape. While some see the move as a natural progression in his career, others, like Yesufu, are questioning the motivations behind accepting such appointments, particularly after holding a higher office under a different administration.