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The Northern Youth Political Thinkers (NYPT), a prominent youth advocacy group, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it describes as a “glaring injustice” in the recent appointment of the Managing Director of the River Basin Development Authority.

In a press release signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Bukar Jidda, the NYPT accused high-ranking political figures of manipulating the appointment process to favor Aliyu Tajudeen, the brother of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. The group contends that the appointment disregarded the principles of meritocracy and betrayed the trust of political stakeholders, particularly in Kaduna State.

According to the NYPT, Hon. Shuaibu Bawa Jaja—a former Chairman of Kudan Local Government and former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)—had been nominated for the role by Kaduna State Governor, Malam Uba Sani. The group describes Jaja as a seasoned grassroots politician with a commendable track record in mobilization, leadership, and service delivery, notably during the 2023 general elections.

“Hon. Jaja’s nomination was rooted in competence, loyalty, and proven political value,” the NYPT stated. “His abrupt replacement with Aliyu Tajudeen is not only unjust but also indicative of nepotism and cronyism at the highest levels of political decision-making.”

The youth group emphasized that its objection is not personal but principled, arguing that political appointments should reward merit and strategic value rather than familial ties.

“If appointments were based on bloodlines, then individuals like Seyi Tinubu or Yusuf Buhari would be at the helm of key parastatals,” the statement reads. “Nigeria’s democratic system should honor contribution and capacity, not connections.”

The NYPT also expressed concern over what it called a “betrayal of trust,” asserting that Governor Uba Sani’s recommendation was undermined without due explanation or transparency, which could erode public confidence in the political process.

The group issued three major demands to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani:

1. An immediate review of the appointment in the interest of fairness and political justice.

2. A public reaffirmation of merit-based appointments to reinforce good governance principles.

3. A full investigation into the circumstances leading to the substitution of Hon. Jaja’s name with Aliyu Tajudeen’s.

The group also called on Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to distance himself from any perception of favoritism, emphasizing that leadership requires impartiality and respect for due process.

Concluding its statement, the NYPT vowed not to remain silent in the face of what it sees as a systematic erosion of democratic integrity. “We urge swift and decisive action to rectify this injustice,” the release stated. “Nigeria’s democracy must reward competence, not connections.”

As of the time of this publication, neither the presidency, Governor Uba Sani, nor the Speaker of the House had issued a formal response to the allegations or demands.

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