Three All Progressives Congress (APC) chiefs and a seasoned bureaucrat are in the race for Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to make up his mind on who gets the job. Besides, he is battling to stave off pressure.

Those either interested or being strongly recommended for the SGF are ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi (South-South), ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu (South-East), APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun (Edo) and a former occupant of the office, Amb. Babagana Kingibe.

There is a bureaucrat from the North-East whose name was not immediately known yesterday.

There are three issues Buhari is trying to resolve:

•should the SGF go to the Northeast or the Southeouth/Southeast?

•should he be a cosmopolitan young element or an experienced bureaucrat? and

•how to avoid the “way and manner in which a former SGF turned the office into an ethnic enclave and destroyed the ethos of the civil service”.

The former SGF reportedly politicised appointments, resulting in a situation whereby two people were given letters for an office.

The President is said to be concerned about geopolitical balance in appointments.

The power sharing in the Executive and the Legislature so far has shown that only the South-South is yet to be accommodated.

The breakdown is as follows: President (North-West); Vice-President (South-West); President of the Senate (North-Central); Deputy President of the Senate (South-East); the Speaker of the House of Representatives (North-East); the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (South-West).

But it was gathered that Buhari does not want to subject the appointment of the SGF to Federal Character Principle because of what a source described as “the sensitive nature of the office”.

A highly-placed source in the Presidency said: “The delay in appointing the SGF is borne out of the fact that the President has left it open for the consideration of many eligible Nigerians irrespective of geopolitical zones.

“Those recommended for SGF are ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi(South-South), ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu(South-East), the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun(Edo); and a former occupant of the office, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, who is a long-time personal friend of Buhari.



“Apart from playing a crucial role as the engine room of Buhari’s campaign, some forces in the Presidency believe Amaechi combines youthful age advantage and political experience to occupy the office.

“The only fear of Buhari in Amaechi is youthful exuberance, temperament and a down-to-heart attitude which may not be ideal for a technical and diplomatic assignment.

“But pro-Amaechi forces in the presidency pointed to Amaechi’s calmness, composure and successful coordination of the Presidential Campaign as signs of his readiness for the job.

“They also said having staked his integrity and life on the line for Buhari, only the SGF is befitting for Amaechi than a ministerial job.

“Amaechi’s dimension is a major challenge for Buhari. I think the same forces against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are working hard to sideline the ex-governor of Rivers State because of his closeness to Buhari.”

It was learnt that Onu appears the man to beat because of his reserved nature, academic excellence, especially having bagged First Class from the University of Lagos, and his cosmopolitan outlook.

A former governor said: “You cannot see Onu’s credentials without being intimidated. In all the schools he attended, he came tops.

“The challenge however is that with the South-East occupying the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, the zone might not get the SGF again. You can see the danger of being slow in taking decision.”

Although Oyegun is highly experienced as a former Federal Permanent Secretary, the popular thinking is that he is incompetent as shown in the way in which he handled the crisis in the National Assembly. “This has created a setback for him,” a source said.

“As a matter of fact, Buhari wants Oyegun to remain in the party. I think they had issues when they were in ANPP and Buhari is favourably disposed to retaining Oyegun in the APC secretariat.

“There is also anger in the party on how the NWC failed to be decisive on the sharing of positions in the National Assembly. It was a litmus test which will work against him in becoming the SGF.”

It was gathered that if Buhari has his way, he would not waste time in appointing Amb. Babagana Kingibe, whom he had courted since their days in the former seat of power, Dodan Barracks in Lagos.

It was learnt that when anti-Kingibe forces came to Buhari recently to de-market the former SGF, the President said: “Kingibe contributed immensely to my campaign. contrary to what you think.”

“I think age and geopolitical balance are working against Kingibe. But he will certainly play a role in Buhari’s administration.

“This is why another bureaucrat from the North-East is being considered too.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-considers-balance-in-sgf-choice/

That post is going to OMOYIBO or else

whatever

Give to Amaechi. Give the ss.

He shld kip his fcvking post to himself We don't nid it He shld give his slaves(sophisticated people)

He shld kip his fcvking post to himself We don't nid it He shld give his slaves(sophisticated people)

amaechi or ogbonnaya...giving to NE will create more enemies for buhari

Mttcheeeee
Too much noise, travelling & dinners

OREMUSSANCTUS:
He shld kip his fcvking post to himself
We don't nid it
He shld give his slaves(sophisticated people)

Pele, stop crying!

OREMUSSANCTUS:
He shld kip his fcvking post to himself
We don't nid it
He shld give his slaves(sophisticated people)

Complaining will always remain your Potion.

Ideally, I would've preferred he choose the right candidates based on their abilities rather than where they come from, but the situation in Nigeria is such that it wouldn't work.

Hopefully all regions will be fairly represented in his cabinet.

time de go do fast jor

•should the SGF go to the Northeast or the Southeouth/Southeast?

•should he be a cosmopolitan young element or an experienced bureaucrat? and

•how to avoid the “way and manner in which a former SGF turned the office into an ethnic enclave and destroyed the ethos of the civil service”.

Snail president, by xmas Buhari would still be pondering who to make his sgf.

Rubbish for how long


Or Nigeria is now west Germany? Daura President

Kingibe still dey?

SGF position should not be given to people with Amaechi, Ribadu, Kingibe and Sanusis temperaments ooooo
it needs a cool headed person
Temperaments that can manage such SSG position can be found in Oyegun, Onu, Olu Falae etc

C

OREMUSSANCTUS:
He shld kip his fcvking post to himself
We don't nid it
He shld give his slaves(sophisticated people)

Who's the "we" here dumbo?

This one is South east or south south

i though fashola was his choice already?

Mogidi:


Snail president, by xmas Buhari would still be pondering who to make his sgf.

Mumu SGF isn't Senior Girl Friend

The whole thing is taking too much time, I expected the APC led government to be up and running by now really.

speculations!
but they said Buhari was going to announce Fashola as the SGF today abi today no be monday again

Stop these stories of Buhari wanting this or that, or even going to the toilet. Nigerians want to see change.

Just give it to a competent Nigerian whose tribe will not turn that office to a tribal office. Or start to marshal their ethnic warlords to threaten everyone when his time is due to go.

south south needs d position ooooo...remember wat ameachi did for u

I thought they said the list will be out today

The media is gradually becoming boring... Speculation is now the order of the day.

So now we have to beg Baba to give the SGF slot to a reputable individual from the South East abi?
Make baba no make me show myself oh.

Give it to me.

Jega for that post

This government is very slow in taking decisions