The Senate on Saturday forced one of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, Bosun Tijani, to apologized over some of his previous tweets.
The nominee had in a Twitter post in 2021 called the Nigerian Senators “morons” among other insulting tweets.
His nomination by President Tinubu had generated lots of reactions from Nigerians especially on social media.
Tijani, a tech guru, while being screened as a minister on Saturday clarified some of the tweets.
Senator Fatai Buhari (Oyo North), had while questioning the nominee said: “On the 21st of July 2019, Dr Bosun tweeted against Nigeria that he does not appreciate the Nigerian passport and Nigeria as a nation.”
Buhari asked Bosun to clarify whether he still believes in Nigeria and the country’s passport.
Quoting the exact tweet that had gone viral, “Nigeria is a bloody expensive tag to have against your name. Leave patriotism for a minute- that tag is a bloody waste of energy. A second foreign passport isn’t sufficient to clean that sin.”
“Is that still your position or have you changed your mindset, Nigerians need to know,” Senator Buhari questioned.
The Ogun state indigene claimed he tweeted as a result of a frustrating experience he had with the Chinese Embassy.
“I tweeted in anger,” the ministerial nominee from Ogun State admitted.
Speaking further, the 46-year-old said, “I want my two young girls to grow up and be proud Nigerians.
“What they’ve given to you is that it’s just a screenshot of the first one, which is convenient. I’m very passionate about Nigeria, as I’m standing in front of you.
“I’m standing here with you today because people know me for the work I have done.
“Not because of my father or mother, because they are both late. I do not have political connections. I am extremely passionate about Nigeria.
“I am not what is being represented online.”
Senator Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, defended Bosun, saying that the nominee tweeted out of a mixture of frustration and love for Nigeria.
Also, Senator Solomon Adeola from Ogun West Senatorial District defended the nominee from his state, saying his “youthful exuberance” and “shortcomings” should be forgiven
