Nigerians especially
those from the
Southern part of the
country on Friday,
expressed concern
over the appointments
made so far by
President Muhammadu Buhari.
They said the appointments were lopsided and not in the
best interest of the country.
President Buhari is from Katsina State, Senate President
Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker,
Yakubu Dogara, are from Kwara and Bauchi states
respectively. The judiciary is led by Justice Mahmud
Mohammed from Taraba State.
Of the nine appointments made by Buhari so far, eight are
from the North, while one is from the South. The
appointments are: Director-General of the State Services,
Lawal Daura, Katsina State; Acting Chairman, the
Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina
Bala Zakari, Jigawa State; Director, the Department of
Petroleum Resources, Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan;
and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed
Idris, Kano State.
Others are the State Chief of Protocol, Mallam Lawal
Abdullahi Kazaure; Aide De Camp, Lt.-Col. Muhammed Lawal
Abubakar, Kano State; Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu; and Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, South-West.
The appointments, however, drew the ire of Nigerians who
asked Buhari to respect the country’s principle of federal
character.
Already, the Internet, particularly the social media and
blogs, are agog with reactions and counter-reactions on the
matter.
A commentator named Daamazing, on Nairaland, Nigeria’s
largest discussion forum, accused Buhari of appointing only
Northerners into key positions announced so far.
The enraged citizen said in pidgin, “After all your mumu
promises, one thing you’ve not achieved, na to dey appoint
all the people for your family tree, dey do tourism up and
down. (After all your promises, you’ve not achieved
anything. All you have done is to appoint your kinsmen and
travel all around the world).”
Another commentator identified simply as Augster, said,
“Buhari, don’t let those who voted for you down because
your appointment of only Northerners into top positions is
baffling us.”
SenseiX, another Nairaland commentator, said it was wrong
for Buhari to have brought Daura, the acting DSS DG, from
retirement to head the agency when there were qualified
persons from other regions of the country still in service.
He said, “He ignored the entire senior cadre of the agency-
from Bassey Eteng to the least- simply because they are
Southerners. Even if he wanted to pick a a Northerner, he
should have picked from the service rather than a 62-year-
old retiree, whose only qualification is being Buhari’s
kinsman, who was in the DSS. When former President
Goodluck Jonathan appointed Ekpenyong, he was already a
Director of Operations, same for Gadzama, who was
appointed by Umaru Yar’Adua.”
As of the time of filing this report, the story- Buhari sacks DG
DSS, service chiefs may go- had been read by 30,722
Nigerians on the PUNCH website, some of who expressed
anger over the development.
A reader named as Ify, said, “In as much as I do not
subscribe to ethnic sentiments, I am sensitive to the malaise
of ethnic distrust in the country. A wise leader would
therefore, thread cautiously around this landmine. We must
patiently navigate our way out of ethnic bias.
“Let me also point out that Nigeria’s strength is derived from
her diversity, therefore, any government that wishes to
succeed must draw from our diversity, and not limit itself to
the talents from one region alone.”
Another reader, Omoyooba, said, “In a multi-ethnic and
multi-religious Nigeria, it is insensitive of him to be making
appointments made up of Northern Muslims. What of the
Christians and the Southerners? President Muhammadu
Buhari should know that former President Goodluck
Jonathan started with greater goodwill than this in 2011 and
he ran it aground in four years. Buhari should not make the
same mistake. Nigeria belongs to everybody.”
On Facebook, Fidelis Anumole-Oparaku, who was apparently
disappointed with the situation, said the President’s
ministerial appointments would not be much better.
He said, “Because he lacks the power to do so with
ministerial appointments, he will likely give key positions to
Northern Muslims, then the soft ones will be given to
Northern Christians and the South.”
Like the online community, prominent groups in the South-
West – Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum and the Movement for
Oodua Republic – said this kind of lopsided appointments
had never happened in the political history of the country.
While describing the President’s actions as worrisome, the
YUF Secretary-General, Senator Anthony Adefuye, warned
that the earlier the situation was reversed, the better, adding
that the YUF would not expect the North to marginalise the
South.
He said, “The fact that the President, Senate President and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives are from the
North is worrisome. There is no way the North can take all
the principal offices and leave the deputy to us. It has never
happened before and the earlier it is reverted, the better.
“There is no way that can continue because the South is not
subordinate to the North. The think tank committee of the
YUF will meet soon to look at the issue and see how it affects
the Yoruba people. However, the development is a wrong
signal that must be corrected.”
While calling on Southerners to be patient and watch events
unfold, Adefuye said no region could be a subordinate of the
other.
“What is more worrisome is that the immediate past INEC
Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, handed over to a Southerner
but the Presidency changed it to a Northerner. We are
watching and waiting to see what comes out of this new
government.”
Adefuye added, “Southerners are always careful and
concerned not to marginalise the North. Therefore, I will not
expect the North to marginalise the South now that the
Presidency is shifted to the region.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka
Odumakin, said the group was watching the President’s
actions and taking note of them.
Odumakin, who spoke with one of our correspondents on
Friday, said, “We have taken a position in Afenifere to watch
the President’s actions before we begin to make comments.
By the time we have a clearer picture of what is happening
in the first 100 days of the President in office, we are
certainly going to make a comprehensive statement.”
Also, the leader of MOR, Mr. George Akinola, said the
country was heading towards total conflict should the
situation continue.
He said, “The country has already been divided along
religious lines. The fault lines are there and will always be
there. This will continue until a time when one way or the
other a conference or a referendum happens. There is no
option that is not on the table but at least we will prefer the
path of peace.”
Representing the interest of the South-Eastern people, the
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-
Igariwey, asked the President to respect the principle of
federal character in his appointments.
Enwo-Igariwey said, “We expect the President to recognise
other nationalities that make up Nigeria. Elections are over,
it is time for governance. We expect that the principle of
federal character, which is constitutional, should be
respected.
“It is important that in making his appointments, the
President should recognise that there are six geo-political
zones in the country and it is imperative that he carries all of
them along in the spirit of nation building and as a
statesman.”
The Igbo World Union and the Ohanaeze Youth Council
described the President’s actions as a threat to the corporate
existence of Nigeria.
The OYC National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro,
said, “Buhari should not abuse his privileged position as the
President of Nigeria for the moment. He should not forget
our federal system but reflect the federal character in his
appointments.
“We are warning him to drop the Northern agenda and
govern Nigeria in line with the constitution which he sworn
to protect. We will hold him by his statement that ‘he is for
nobody and for everybody ‘ except he now wants to tell us
that he is the President of the North alone.”
According to Isiguzoro, Buhari’s actions demonstrate that he
came to power to reverse the positive steps made by
Jonathan, who gave consideration to Nigeria’s ethnic
plurality in his appointments.
“Jonathan appointed Northerners as his National Security
Adviser, Defence Minister, Inspector-General of Police, Chief
of Defence Staff etc. But so far, Buhari has shown us that he
has no regard for other parts of the country.”
In his reaction, the President-General of Igbo World Union,
Dr. Mishak Nnanta, asked the President not to succumb to
any ill- advice from individuals with parochial interest.
The National President of Njiko Igbo Forum, Reverend
Okechukwu Obioha, warned Buhari against running what he
described as a “Northern government.”
Obioha expressed the fear that the trend, if left unchecked,
could destroy the country.
He said, “Buhari is simply running a Northern government.
He is making his appointments as if he is angry with other
sections of the country. The appointments are

www.punchng.com/news/appointments-uproar-as-buhari-favours-northerners/

nice one

Seems you guys are underestimating the influence of Nairaland.

na so!

NL was 1st quoted by bbc ,other medias n now punch. NL is a force 2 reckon w. Yr comments do not stop here but i tell you it hits d powers that b. Up nl!

Minet16:

SW is a donkey northerns rode on 2 power. C only one app de hv (femi adesina SSA) SW is nothing but useful tool in d hands of yr master, north.

I wonder what they said when these appointments were made by their master who in himself is enjoying life after being in bondage of these looters for 5+ years.
The list amongst others goes thus:
1NIMET Dr. Anthony Anuforom
2 NNPC Eng. Andrew Yakubu
3 NIMASA Patrick Apobolokemi
4 PENCOM Mrs. Chinelo Anohu Amazu
5 FERMA Engr. Chukwu Amuchi
6 DPR Mr. George Osahon
7 Bank Of Industry Ms. Evelyn Oputu
8 Nigerian Content Dev. Agency Ernest Nwanpa
9 Consumer Protection Agency Mrs Dupe Atoki
10 NCC Engr. Eugene Juwa
11 NAMA Engr. Nnamdi Udoh
12 NCAA Engr. Akikuotu
13 FAAN George Uriesi
14 NCAT Capt. Chinere Kalu
15 SEC Aruma Otteh
16 Sovereign Wealth Fund Uche Orji
17 NAFDAC Dr Paul Orhil
18 FIIRO Dr. Mrs. G. N Elemo
19 Maritime Academy Of Nigeria, Oron Joshua Okpo
20 Railway Corporation Eng. Seyi Sijuwade
21 Nigerian Tourism Dev. Corporation Mrs. Sally
Mbanefoh
22 Budget Office Of The Federation Dr Bright Okogwu
23 NERDC Prof Godswill Obioma
24 NEXIM Mr R. R Orya
25 Standard Organization Of Nigeria Dr Joseph
Odumodu
26 Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation Emeka Nkem
Mba
27 Industrial Training Fund Prof. Longmas Wapmuk
28 National University Commission Prof. Okojie
29 NESREA Mrs. N.S Benebo
30 MDG Office Dr. Precious Gbenio
31 Surveyor General Of The Federation Peter Chigozie
32 Statistician General Of The Federation
Dr. Yemi Kale
33 Accountant General Of The Federation Mr. Jonah
Otunla
34 Auditor General Of The Federation Samuel Yonongo
Ukura
35. National Orientation Agency Mike Omieri
36. News Agency Of Nigeria Oluremi Oyo
37. NEPC E/S David I Adelugba
38. NEPZA Mr. Olugbenga Kuye
39. BPP Engr Emeka Ezeh

If in his mind GEJ felt these are the people he could trust, then nobody should fault PMB for appointing those he could trust.

shamsuRana:
I wonder what they said when these appointments were made by their master who in himself is enjoying life after being in bondage of these looters for 5+ years.
The list amongst others goes thus:

If in his mind GEJ felt these are the people he could trust, then nobody should fault PMB for appointing those he could trust.

Thanks for the compilation,this is the singular reason I've been sceptical about calling out PMB cos i dont agree with the lopsided arrangement as well.

shamsuRana:
I wonder what they said when these appointments were made by their master who in himself is enjoying life after being in bondage of these looters for 5+ years.
The list amongst others goes thus:
1NIMET Dr. Anthony Anuforom
2 NNPC Eng. Andrew Yakubu
3 NIMASA Patrick Apobolokemi
4 PENCOM Mrs. Chinelo Anohu Amazu
5 FERMA Engr. Chukwu Amuchi
6 DPR Mr. George Osahon
7 Bank Of Industry Ms. Evelyn Oputu
8 Nigerian Content Dev. Agency Ernest Nwanpa
9 Consumer Protection Agency Mrs Dupe Atoki
10 NCC Engr. Eugene Juwa
11 NAMA Engr. Nnamdi Udoh
12 NCAA Engr. Akikuotu
13 FAAN George Uriesi
14 NCAT Capt. Chinere Kalu
15 SEC Aruma Otteh
16 Sovereign Wealth Fund Uche Orji
17 NAFDAC Dr Paul Orhil
18 FIIRO Dr. Mrs. G. N Elemo
19 Maritime Academy Of Nigeria, Oron Joshua Okpo
20 Railway Corporation Eng. Seyi Sijuwade
21 Nigerian Tourism Dev. Corporation Mrs. Sally
Mbanefoh
22 Budget Office Of The Federation Dr Bright Okogwu
23 NERDC Prof Godswill Obioma
24 NEXIM Mr R. R Orya
25 Standard Organization Of Nigeria Dr Joseph
Odumodu
26 Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation Emeka Nkem
Mba
27 Industrial Training Fund Prof. Longmas Wapmuk
28 National University Commission Prof. Okojie
29 NESREA Mrs. N.S Benebo
30 MDG Office Dr. Precious Gbenio
31 Surveyor General Of The Federation Peter Chigozie
32 Statistician General Of The Federation
Dr. Yemi Kale
33 Accountant General Of The Federation Mr. Jonah
Otunla
34 Auditor General Of The Federation Samuel Yonongo
Ukura
35. National Orientation Agency Mike Omieri
36. News Agency Of Nigeria Oluremi Oyo
37. NEPC E/S David I Adelugba
38. NEPZA Mr. Olugbenga Kuye
39. BPP Engr Emeka Ezeh

If in his mind GEJ felt these are the people he could trust, then nobody should fault PMB for appointing those he could trust.

So u are telling me that of the more than 100 post under GEJ, that the north got over 100-39. Indeed the north got her fair share.

Boko.hari is a dumbo.

99100:


So u are telling me that of the more than 100 post under GEJ, that the north got over 100-39. Indeed the north got her fair share.

Boko.hari is a dumbo.

Dont mind the donkey, with over 100 MDAs he could only give 39

Ok