From Idu Jude, Abuja
The National Integration Group (NIG) has disagreed with claims made by former Minister of Budget and Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, that the Goodluck Jonathan administration sold the nation’s power sector to friends and cronies.
NIG, over the weekend, frowned at Dr Shamsudeen’s remarks, against the background that he was part of the administration.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Baba Isimi, the pro-good governance think-tank wondered why the renowned economist, known for his intellectual rigour, being an insider in the administration, did not intervene against the process, knowing that the sales were flawed.
Citing comments he made during the launch of his book earlier in 2025, NIG regretted that “Dr Usman’s latest remarks follow a troubling pattern,” asking if this is another attempt to smear the Jonathan administration for hidden political agendas?
Isimi alleged Shamsudeen had claimed, “We sold the Nigerian power sector to ourselves,” or, as some reports phrased it, “How we sold DISCOs & GENCOs to ourselves under Jonathan.”
“This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced in politically charged settings.
“At the same book launch, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, made unsubstantiated claims about missing government funds.
“When pressed by President Jonathan to provide evidence publicly, the Emir retreated, offering feeble excuses. Many interpreted this as a politically motivated attack, given Sanusi’s perceived alignment with the then-opposition APC.
“Could it be groundwork to undermine Jonathan’s potential role in the 2027 political landscape?
As an accomplished economist and former Minister of Budget and Planning, Dr Usman understands the intricacies of privatisation. His vague accusation demands clarification.”
Continuing, it queried why Dr Shamsudeen, as a key government insider, did not raise alarms to prevent self-dealing in the privatisation process?
“He claims the process was rushed. Does this imply the Jonathan administration lacked the authority to set its own timelines? Were there legal or procedural breaches?
“Did the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) or the National Council on Privatisation object to the pace or structure of the sales? If so, why were their concerns ignored?
“If the sales were flawed, does blame rest solely on President Jonathan, or does it extend to the Council of Ministers (where Dr Usman served), the National Assembly, and other oversight bodies?”
While presidents bear ultimate responsibility, governance is a collective effort. The privatisation process involved multiple institutions: ministers, legislators, regulators, and technical committees.
NIG further described the claims as broad and sensational, which do not name beneficiaries or provide evidence, adding that they only fuel populist outrage without accountability.
“If his intent is genuine critique, he should detail specific failures and culprits rather than resorting to politically convenient generalisations.
Nigeria’s development depends on factual, solution-driven discourse, not recycled accusations from insiders who were part of the very system they now condemn.”